M  ' 


.-«.'■•■■  / 


1  ^:ff   <4 

,5]j^-75iC  ,              ,,:  ,  ;*^fg^ 

s^^ 

M  ^^  ?^  H 

MEi»ap^iH 

-^  ■  '-'^' 


of  rtje 

Wim\)tv6itv  of  J^ortt)  Carolina 


^TfjisJ  boofe  hjafif  prejB^enteb 
JK.  MoreheadL 


--^o  -   LL  t:)  (/^  O 


m 


^< 


n 


ri^ 


^u> 


^ 


M 


;^Y 


^^ 


^< 


f 


^-; 


■r<^ 


IS^ 


<,^-^ 


m 


E 


WWfK 


"^rJ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


^rA 


00032703290 


This  book  must  not 
be  token  from  the 
Library  building. 


uns 


TITLE  His  BEEN  MlCRQFHJ\/lED 


*^s  pubijca 
^  the  Unive 
^^ti^l  Hill 


tion 


Univen  ity 


«  has  been  digitized 

Pty  of  North  CaroF 
-ibrary  and  is 


t     Form  No.  471 


available 


ma 


Ff^S! 


i-- jtfSrV^^ -^ 


J.  J.  Upchuech, 


THE 


LIFE,  LABORS  AND  TRAVELS 


OF 


Father  J.  J.  Upchurch, 

Founder  of  the 

ANCIENT  ORDER  OF  UNITED  WORKMEN. 

Written  by  Himself. 


TO    WHICH    ARE    ADDED 

POEMS  &-  EULOGIES  BY  PROMINENT  MEMBERS  OF  THE  ORDER. 


Revised  and  Edited  by 
SAM.  BOOTH,  P.  M.  W. 


A.  T.  DEWEY,  TuRLiSHER, 
OFi'ICE  OF  THE  '-'PACIFIC  STATES  WATCHMAN," 

San  P^rancisco,  Cal. 
1887. 

Sold  for  the  Benefit  of  Widow  Tpchurcli  and  Family 


Entered    according    to    Act   of    Congress,    in    the   Year   1887,   nv 

/.  /.   UPCHURCH  atid  A.   T.  DEIVEV, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

[Stereotyped  Edition.] 


A  "FATHER'S"  BLESSING. 


Steelville,  Mo.,  August  30,  1886. 
To  My  Children  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen: — 

/]  S  I  grow  in  years  my  heart  seems  to  expand  with 
gratitude  to  the  Creator  that  I  should  be  selected 
before  all  others  to  promulgate  and  put  in  practice  the 
principles  of  our  noble  Order. 

I  am  truly  thankful  for  the  thought  that  has  been  the 
meajis  of  orgatiizing  an  Order  that  has  carried  relief 
to  thousands  of  the  widoivs  and  orphaits  of  our  deceased 
brothers.  Poverty  and  degradation  have  been  driven 
from  their  doors,  and  the  standard  of  Hope  and  Pro- 
tection erected  iji  their  stead. 

Men  are  made  better  by  assembling  together  in  our 
Lodge  rooms,  where  the  true  principles  of  fraternity 
are  taught.  We  meet  on  a  common  platform  of  equality 
as  all  brothers  shoidd,  arid  try  to  instill  into  each  other's 
minds  high  and  noble  aspirations. 

Now,  let  me,  as  the  Father  of  the    Order, — and  it 

may  be  for  the  last  time, — make  an  earnest  request  that 

Oo      all  arouse  from  the  lethargy  we  have  fallen  into.     Let 

^     us  go  to  work  with  renewed  energy  in  building  tip  our 


A  "Father's"  Blessing. 


beloved  Order  to  thai  standard  she  is  destined  to  attain^ 
both  in  numbers  and  acts  of  charity. 

Let  me  impress  npon  yotir  minds  the  importance  of 
using  every  honorable  means  to  induce  good  and  true 
'}nen  to  unite  with  us  in  protecting  the  widozv  and 
orphan  from  the  cold  charities  of  a  Jieartless  world. 

Let  us  try  to  educate  them  to  look  forward  to  a  high 
and  noble  purpose. 

Do  this,  and  you  have,  in  a  great  measure,  fulfilled 
the  Jioble  design  of  the  Creator  in  placing  man  upon  earth. 

This  work  has  been  written^  believing  that  my  fra- 
ternal children  woidd  like  to  know  more  of  my  early 
history,  trials,  etc. 

It  has  been  my  earnest  wish  to  produce  a  work  both 
interesting  and  enter tainiiig,  that  when  I  have  passed 
away  my  children  ca7i  take  up  the  book  and  say,  "  This 
is  the  record  of  our  Father,  the  founder  of  our  jioble 
Order!' 

I  have  tried  to  make  a  true  statemeiit  of  facts,  and 
I  trust  and  believe  that  the  members  of  the  Order  gen- 
erally will  read  and  not  judge  too  harshly  this,  my 
humble  effort.  Your  Fraternal  Father, 


(ff~^M/i^^^t^t^^^ 


I  NDKX. 


ir^LTJSTti^TL^IOlSrS. 


Homeof  Father  J.  J.  Upchurch, 
at  Steelville,  Mo 

Portrait  of  J.  J.  Upchurch. .  .  . 

Charter  Adopted  by  the    First 

Grand  Lodge  A.  O.  U.  W.. 


Plan  of  Original  Hall 3 

2  Original  Regalia,  Second  Degree    6 

3  Original  Regalia,  Fourth  Degree     7 
Father  J,  J.  Upchurch  at  a  Cal- 

2        ifornia  Picnic 10 


His  Birth  and    Family— Death 

of  His  Father 13 

Schooling  and  Early  Privations 

— Learning  a  Trade 14 

Gets  Married — Opens  a  Hotel  15 

Railroading 16 

Goes     to     Charleston — Horse 

Taming .    17 

Returns  Home — Starts  for  Penn- 
sylvania    19 

At  Work  in  the  Railroad  Shops  20 

Originating  the  A.  O.  U.  W. .  .  21 

Oil  Speculations 23 

Goes  to  Alabama 24 

Visits  His  Mother 25 

Taken  Sick   26 

Returns    North — Home  Again  27 

At  Meadville — ^Joins  League.  . .  28 
Organizes   the   First    Lodge  of 

the  A.  O.  U.  W 29 

Trials  and  Difficulties — Uncon- 
stitutional Proceedings 30 

Secession 33 

Reconciliation 34 

Elected  Supreme  Master  Work- 
man   35 

Is   Suspended — Reinstated....  36 

Tries  Farming 38 

A  Good  Fatherly  Letter 39 

Recommends  Libraries 41 

Another   Letter,  "  Uproot    the 

Weeds" 42 

Goes  to  Franklin,  Pa 44 

Moves  to  Pennsylvania 45 

Returns   \Vest,   Sick   and    Out 

of    Employment   46 

Honors  by  Supreme  Lodge.  ...  47 

Presentation 48 


CONTBI^TS. 

Attends  S.  Lodge  at  Buffalo. . .  49 
His    Right     to    the    Title     of 

Founder  Disputed 50 

His  Right  Sustained 51 

Visits  Sup.  Lodge,  Toronto...  52 
Meets  P.  G.  M.  W\,  Barnes  .  .  53 
Protest  of  W.  W.  Walker- 
Vindication  by  Sup.  Lodge  54 
First  Constitution  A.  O.  U.  \Y.  55 

Insurance  Article 64 

Credit  for  Plan  of  Organization  68 

Working  Tools  of  the  Order. .  .  71 

Returns  Home — His  Family..  72 

Visits  and  Presentation   ...:..  75 

Invitation  to  Visit  California.  .  76 

Starts  for  California 77 

Arrives  at   Denver 78 

Welcome  by  G.  M.  W.,  Louis 

Aufinger — His  Response. 79,  80 
Address  of  P.  G.  M.  W.,  Wm. 

H.    Jordan 81 

Invitation  to  Salt  Lake — Reply  84 

Invitation  to  Visit  Colorado.  .  .  85 

On  the  Way 86 

Arrival  at  Salt  Lake 89 

Invitation  to  Visit  Oregon.  ...  90 

Arrival  at  Oregon 91 

Arrival  in  Cal. — Reception   at 

Sacramento 92 

At  Oakland 93 

Arrival  in  San  Francisco 94 

The  Procession 95 

Reception  at  the  Pavilion 96 

Address  of  Welcome  by  P.    G. 

M.  W.,W^ii.  H.  Barnes....  97 
Oration  by  P.  G.  M.  W^,  Wm. 

H.  Jordan 99 

Picnic  at  Fairfax loi 

[ix] 


General  Contents. 


Oration  by  P.  G .  M .  W. ,  Barnes 
Acrostic  by  P.  G.  M.  W.,  Barnes 
Welcome — His  Response .  io6, 
Visiting  the  Lodges  in  Oakland 

Invitation  of  the  K.  of  H 

Visits  Chinatown,  S.  F 

Visits    Valley,    Excelsior,    and 

Other  Lodges 

Visits  Golden  Gate  Park 

Visits  G.  R.,  H.  G.  Pratt 

Visits  the  IVatc/unaji  Office. . . 

Visit  to   Stockton 

Visit  to  Sacramento 

The  Prize    Poem 

Viewing  Sacramento 

Visits  a  Masonic  Lodge 

Goes  to  Napa 

Santa  CruzandWatsonville  124, 
Grand  Ovation  at  San  Jose, , .  . 

Presentation  at  San  Jose 

Goes  to  Livermore 

Visits    Pioneer    Woolen    Mills 

Golden  Dawn  D.  of  H 131, 

At  Woodland  and  Colusa.  133, 

Goes  to  Virginia  City 

Reception  at  Virginia  City  . . . 
Presented  with   a  Silver  Brick 

Visiting  the  Mines 

At  Carson — Sutro  Tunnel .  145, 

Returns  to  San  Frailcisco 

Goes  to  Los  Angeles 

At  San  Fernando 

At  Los  Angeles 

Goes  to  Santa  Monica 

Returns  to  San  Francisco 

Farewell  to  California 

Arrival  in  Oregon 

At  Portland 

McMinnville 

Goes  to  Victoria 

In  Washington  Territory 

Tacoma  and  Olympia 

At  Albany,  Oregon 

At  Roseburg 

Eugene  City  and  Salem 

Leaving  Oregon — The  Dalles.  . 

-Idaho,  and  Helena,  Mont 

Gra  d  Reception 


I02g-Address  of  J.  W.  Kinsley.  ....    173 
105 ^'Address  of  G.  M.,  Sullivan.  .  .    176 

107  Poem  by  John  W.  Eddy 183 

108  On  the  Way  Home 194 

109  Reception  at  Steelville 195 

1 10  End  of  Father  Upchurch's  Nar- 

rative     198 

111  Editor's  Continuation 

112  Ovation  at  St.  Louis 199 

113  Sword  Presentation  and  Visit  to 

1 14  Wyandotte 200 

115  Visits  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Kan.   201 

116  Cal.  Grand  Lodge  Resolution. .   204 

117  Preparing  His  Book 205 

120  His  Last  Pilgrimage — Letter  to 

121  P.  G.  M.  W.,  Barnes,  of  Cal.   206 

122  Visiting     East — Reception     in 

125  Boston ,  . .    208 

126  In       Philadelphia— His      Last 

128  Speech 210 

129  Returns  Home 216 

130  His  Death 217 

132  Messages  of  Condolence  to  His 

135         Family 218 

137  Official  Announcements 221 

138  Resolutions  of  Respect — ^Jeffer- 

143  son  Lodge,  No.    i.   Pa 223 

144  Resolutionsof  Keystone  Lodge,  226 

147  Preparing  for  the  Funeral 227 

148  Ceremony  at  Steelville 228 

149  Lying  in  State  at  St.  Louis.  .  .   229 

150  Address,  G.  M.  W.,  Rogers,  of 

151  Mo 230 

154  Oration  of  P.  G.  M.  W.,  Vincil  232 

155  Conclusion 239 

156  Appendix 

157  Important  Incidents  Connected 

1 58  with    the  Order 240 

159  Memorial  Services  in  Oakland,   242 
161  Oration  of  S.  F.,W.  H.  Jordan,   244 

163  Address  of  P.  G.M.W.,  Barnes,  246 

164  Memorial  Services  in  S.  F. . .  .   248 

165  Oration,  P.M.W.,  J.N.  Young.  249 

166  Poem  by  P.  M.  W.,  Sam  Booth  254 

167  Addendum 

170  Supreme  Lodge  Meetings....   257 

171  Past  Supreme  Master  Workmen  263 

172  A.  O.  U.  W.  Periodicals 264 


EDITOR'S  NOTE. 


TN  looking  over  the  material  for  the  following  pages,  two  courses 
seemed  open  to  the  Editor's  choice,  to  rewrite  the  manuscript,  cloth- 
ing the  substance  of  the  narrative  in  language  of  his  own,  or  taking  it 
as  he  found  it,  to  add  the  sub-headings,  smooth  out  a  wrinkle  here 
and  there,  snip  off  the  ragged  edges,  and  put  in  a  stitch  or  two  occa- 
sionally, but  leaving  it  substantially  as  it  was  left  by  the  writer  himself. 
In  the  former  case  the  work  would  have  been  that  of  the  compiler; 
in  the  latter  it  would  retain  its  originality  and  be  what  it  purported  to 
be,  the  work  of  the  Founder  himself.  Believing  that  the  latter  course 
would  be  the  one  most  acceptable  to  those  who  will  be  most  interested 
in  it,  i.  £.,  the  members  of  the  great  organization  of  which  he  was  the 
founder,  and  that  being  the  one  most  in  accord  with  his  own  inclinations, 
he  adopted  it.  The  reader  who  comes  to  the  book  expecting  to  find  a 
literary  and  intellectual  gratification  will  undoubtedly  be  disappointed, 
except  as  it  may  be  found  in  the  glowing  periods  of  his  panegyrists. 
The  hands  of  both  Author  and  Editor  were  hardened  by  the  handling 
of  heavier  tools  at  rougher  handicrafts  than  the  use  of  the  pen  and 
Authorship;  and  in  attempting  to  solve  the  more  serious  problems  of 
life,  they  had  but  little  leisure  to  master  the  art  of  elegant  literary  com- 
position. To  the  brethren,  therefore,  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  and  kindred  organizations,  whose  beneficent  labors  received 
their  inspiration  from  his  first  efforts,  as  a  legacy  from  a  father  to  his 
children,  this  little  book,  with  all  its  imperfections,  is  commended  by 
tj^eir  brother  and  friend. 

Sam  Booth, 
F.  M.    W.,  Excelsior,  No,  126,  A.  0.  U,   W, 


#4^^ 


/: 


r: 


i  I 


:|  1 1 


I        li 


:;     !1 


■iV 


I  ! 


\^l.£ 


T-^ 


' 

?' 

.  ^;>i 

^,- 

"■:  ■  '  ■"■"    ^; 

CHARTER   ADOr-TF.n  I!Y  '[HE   FIRST  OKAXlj    ElJhOE  A.   O.   U.     V 
adopted  later. 


taught  by  the  old  Ritual,  the  ceremonies  of  which  were  not  by  any  means  as  simple  as  those 


THE 


Life,  Labors  aid  Trayels 


FATHER  J.  J.  UPCHURCH. 


HIS    BIRTH    AND    FAMILY. 

WAS  born  in  Franklin  County, 

North     Carolina,     March      26, 

1822. 

My  father,  Ambrose,  was  the 

only   son    of    John   Upchurch; 

my  mother,   Elizabeth,  was  the 
ily  daughter  of  Hon.  Henry  Hill.     All 
Franklin  County. 

There  were  of  our  family,  two  boys 
id  two  girls.  My  father  followed  the 
isiness  of  farming. 

DEATH    OF    HIS    FATHER. 

In  1824,  my  father  was  shot  and  killed  by  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Wright,  who  married  the  half  sister  of  my  mother. 
What  the  difficulty  was  about,  I  was  too  young  to  compre- 
hend. Wright  fled  the  country,  and  it  was  said  went  to 
Arkansas,  while  that  State  was  held  by  Mexico;  at  any  rate, 
his  family  followed  some  time  after. 

ri3^ 


14  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

I  well  remember  the  circumstance  of  three  negroes  and 
three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  being  taken  from  us, 
which  led  me  to  believe  that  property  was  the  cause  of  the 
murder. 

SCHOOLING    AND    EARLY    PRIVATIONS. 

My  mother  was  forced  to  resort  to  the  needle  to  support 
herself  and  children.     Educational  facilities  were  few. 

When  I  was  eight  years  old,  I  attended  school  for  six 
months  and  made  fine  progress.  Commenced  to  read  in 
Webster's  Spelling  Book.  Had  to  walk  three  miles,  night 
and  morning,  to  and  from  school. 

My  Grandfather  Upchurch  took  us  children  to  live  with 
him  and  sent  us  to  school  as  opportunity  offered.  That  was 
not  often,  and  only  of  short  duration.  We  went  four  miles 
on  Sunday  to  attend  Sabbath-school. 

EMPLOYED  AS  CLERK. 

In  1834,  I  left  the  farm,  and  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in 
a  country  store,  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Lawrence,  who 
afterwards  married  my  eldest  sister.  I  again  went  on  the 
farm  in  the  winter  of  1834-35,  and  remained  there  until  the 
summer  of  1835,  when  my  Grandfather  Hill  purchased  and 
gave  to  my  mother  a  small  farm. 

LEARNING    A    TRADE. 

She  then  took  her  children  to  live  with  her.  I  remained 
with  my  mother  on  the  farm  until  the  spring  of  1837,  when 
I  went  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  millwright  with  Thomas  Duke. 
I  remained  with  him  until  the  fall.  My  health  being  poor 
and  the  work  heavy,  I  could  not  stand  it,  and  left  him  and 
entered  as  an  apprentice  with  William  and  Edward  Allen, 
house-carpenters,  as  I  thought  the  work  would  be  lighter. 

I   ran   a  water-power  saw -mill   for  William   Allen   for  a 


Gets  Married  —Opens  a  Hotel.  15 

month  or  two,  and  then  went  with  them  to  put  up  a  saw-mill 
on  the  Tar  River,  for  a  man  named  Kenaday. 

I  remained  here  until  the  work  was  completed.  The 
contractor  had  taken  several  buildings  to  put  up  at  Hender- 
son, a  station  on  the  Raleigh  cS:  Gaston  Railroad,  where 
quite  a  village  had  sprung  up.  I  went  with  them  and  re- 
mained until  one  of  the  buildings  was  nearly  completed. 

clerking  again. 
One  day,  Charles  Allen,  the  foreman,  said  to  me,  that  as 
I  was  not  strong  enough  to  follow  the  business,  he  could  get 
me  a  situation  as  clerk  in  a  store,  and  advised  me  to  take  it. 
I  consented  to  do  so,  and  went  to  work.  In  a  short 
time,  Prof  E.  A.  Jones  bought  the  store  and  opened  a 
wholesale  and  retail  grocery  in  the  building. 

GETS    married. 

I  remained  with  this  house  until  June  i,  1841,  and  then 
went  to  Raleigh  and  married  Miss  Angelina  Green,  daughter 
of  Salome  Green,  of  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania.  She  had 
gone  South  with  John  Zeigenfuss,  an  uncle,  who  was  a  con- 
tractor on  the  Raleigh  &  Gaston  Railroad. 

OPENS    A    HOTEL. 

On  getting  married,  Mr.  Zeigenfuss  and  myself  opened  a 
hotel  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina.  We  carried  it  on  in  the 
usual  way,  with  a  bar  attached,  until  the  winter  of  1841-42, 
when  the  Washington  Temperance  Society  was  organized 
there.  We  both  united  with  it,  and  opened  what  was  said 
to  be  the  first  temperance  house  south  of  Mason  and  Dix- 
on's Line. 

We  were  in  advance  of  the  times.  The  people  had  not 
been  educated  up  to  this  point. 

In    1843,  an  old  tramp,  an  Englishman,   named   James 


IG  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Wood,  came  to  the  house  with  a  pack  on  his  back  and  in- 
quired if  we  had  any  kettles  to  mend  or  silver  plate  that  we 
wanted  marked.  I  handed  him  half  a  dozen  spoons.  In  a 
few  minutes  he  had  them  engraved  in  good  style.  He  then 
wanted  five  cents  with  which  to  get  a  drink  of  whisky.  In  the 
morning  he  was  sick,  and  remained  so  for  two  or  three 
weeks.  Although  not  confined  all  the  time  to  his  bed,  he 
could  not  walk,  and  claimed  that  he  had  the  royal  gout.  I 
soon  made  up  my  mind  that  his  disease  was  brought  on  by 
excessive  use  of  intoxicants. 

Some  orders  for  engraving  came  in,  which  he  executed. 
In  the  meantime  I  would  not  allow  him  to  have  anything  to 
drink.  So  finally  I  got  him  sobered  up,  when  he  joined  the 
temperance  society. 

He  then  said  if  I  would  give  him  a  place  to  work,  he 
would  teach  me  the  business  of  engraving  and  die-sinking. 
I  liked  the  idea,  and  rented  a  shop  and  bought  what  tools 
were  necessary,  when  we  went  to  work.  I  made  fine  progress 
in  the  art,  but  the  old  man  began  to  drink  alcohol,  bought 
for  making  varnish  for  cleaning  plate,  etc.,  until  he  was 
finally  carried  away  by  delirium  tremens  in  such  a  way  as  I 
I  never  wish  to  see  again. 

RAILROADING. 

The  business  at  the  hotel  had  been  falling  oft',  until  we 
finally  had  to  close  out.  Mr.  Ziegenfuss  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  I  ran  the  shop  until  1844,  when  I  accepted 
the  situation  of  assistant  depot  agent  in  the  Freight  Depart- 
ment of  the  Raleigh  &  Gaston  Railroad.  Whea  not  em- 
ployed here,  I  was  in  the  shop.  I  held  this  position  until 
the  winter  of  1844-45,  when  one  of  the  engineers  on  the 
passenger  train  left.  The  Superintendent,  Wesley  H-ollister, 
put  me  on  the  road  in  his  place. 


Horse  Taming.  17 


GOES   TO    CHARLESTON,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

I  remained  on  the  r6ad  until  December,  1845,  when  I  left 
and  went  to  Norfolk,  Richmond,  and  Petersburg,  Virginia; 
but  could  get  nothing  to  do.  A  fellow-engineer  accompa- 
nied me,  and  we  concluded  to  go  to  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
lina. When  we  reached  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  we 
were  divided  in  opinion;  he  wanted  to  go  by  stage  to  Cheraw, 
South  Carolina,  and  there  take  the  railroad;  I  wanted  to  go 
by  steamer,  as  I  had  never  been  to  sea. 

He  finally  consented  to  go  by  steamer;  however,  I  re- 
gretted it  afterwards,  for  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  waves  rolling, 
thirty  miles  before  we  crossed  the  bar,  he  was  the  sickest 
man  I  ever  saw.  I  remained  up  all  night  with  him.  We 
landed  at  Charleston,  and  put  up  at  the  Mechanics'  and 
Planters'  House,  on  Church  Street,  and  searched  all  over 
the  city  for  work.  The  only  thing  I  could  get  to  do  was  to 
work  on  a  new  saw-mill  that  was  being  erected. 

HORSE    TAMING. 

I  worked  here  some  time  with  the  intention  of  going 
somewhere  else.  1  had  but  little  money;  my  friend  per- 
suaded me  to  buy  "  Rarey's  Horse-taming  Process,"  which 
I  did,  having  only  six  dollars  left.  I  went  to  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Charleston  &  Augusta  Railroad,  showed  him 
my  letters,  and  he  gave  me  a  pass  to  Augusta,  Georgia.  Here 
I  opened  up  the  horse-taming  business;  sold  one  recipe  for 
ten  dollars,  and  then  crossed  the  river  to  Hamburg;  stopped 
there  several  days,  selling  recipes  at  almost  anything  I  could 
get  for  them — feeling  that  I  must  have  money  to  go 
further. 

From  here  I  went  to  Edgefield,  in  South  Carolina.  My 
money  was  short;  I  found  I  had  to  have  some  printing  done, 
which  would  take  nearly  all  the  money  I  had.     I,  however, 


18  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

had  a  few  posters  struck  off,  when  I  gave  an  exhibition  in 
the  jail-yard,  where  I  took  a  vicious  horse  and  subdued  him 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all  present.  From  this  I  raised 
money  to  pay  my  hotel  bill  and  stage  fare  further  on.  I 
worked  in  this  way  until  I  reached  Granville,  South  Carolina. 
I  stopped  there  until  I  owed  two  weeks'  board  and  had  but 
fifty  cents  left.  Money  I  must  have.  I  sold  recipes  from 
one  to  five  dollars  each,  and  paid  my  board  and  stage  fare 
to  the  next  county  town. 

I  finally  reached  Rutherfordton,  in  North  Carolina. 
Here  I  undertook  to  subdue  a  horse  that  would  run  away. 
He  ran  away  with  me,  tore  the  wagon  to  pieces  (which  I 
had  to  pay  for),  and  threw  me  into  a  stone  pile.  When  I 
came  to,  I  was  surrounded  by  a  number  of  ladies  (with  the 
all-healing  camphor-bottle)  and  men  who  had  come  from 
the  town,  a  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  However,  I 
was  not  seriously  injured. 

From  there  I  traveled  from  place  to  place,  following  the 
court  circuits  until  I  reached  Charlotte,  North  Carolina. 
Here  business  was  better  than  it  had  been  at  some  other 
places.  I  bought  a  horse  four  years  old,  and  gave  a  recipe 
and  twenty-five  dollars  for  him.  When  the  bargain  was 
made  I  did  not  have  the  money.  However,  I  raised  the 
amount  next  day.  I  traded  a  gripsack  for  an  old  saddle  and 
bridle,  and  then  went  on  my  own  hook. 

At  Statesville  I  got  a  set  of  silver-plated  buggy  harness 
for  teaching  a  man  how  to  tame  horses. 

I  put  them  in  a  sack  and  strapped  them  behind  my  sad- 
dle. I  then  went  to  Lexington,  where  I  procured  the 
assistance  of  a  stage-driver.  We  hitched  up  my  horse.  My 
assistant  was  nearly  frightened  out  of  his  head.  The  horse 
was  as  gay  as  a  peacock,  and  proved  a  fine  racer.     A  can- 


Starts  for  Pennsylvania.  19 


didate  for  the  office  of  sheriff  got  the  stage-driver  to  try 
and  trade  for  him.  I  asked  fifty  dollars  to  boot,  and  finally 
got  thirty  dollars  and  a  much  better  horse  for  myself. 


RETURNS    HOME. 

Next  morning  I  bought  an  open  buggy,  hitched  up  my 
horse,  and  went  independent.  Reaching  home  I  had  a 
horse  and  buggy  worth  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and 
two  hundred  dollars  in  cash.     I  had  done  pretty  well. 

STARTS    FOR    PENNSYLVANIA. 

I  traveled  around  the  country  trading  and  taming  horses 
that  summer.  On  October  i,  1846,  with  my  family  (wife 
and  child).  I  started  for  Pennsylvania.  Reached  Philadel- 
phia on  the  3d  by  steamer  from  City  Point,  via  Norfolk 
and  Baltimore. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  we  took  stage  for  Bethlehem. 
I  could  get  nothing  to  do  there.  Tried  making  corn- 
shellers,  but  they  would  not  shell  the  small,  hard  corn  of 
the  North.  In  February,  1847,  I  got  a  situation  as  super- 
intendent of  a  large  flouring  and  saw-mill  at  Lock  Haven, 
in  Clinton  County,  Pennsylvania,  with  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Myers.  When  I  reached  there,  the  owners  had  sold  the  mill 
to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Sterret,  of  Harrisburg.  The  purchas- 
ers wished  to  retain  me  as  superintendent,  but  were  going 
to  have  some  extensive  repairs  made,  and  would  not  be 
ready  for  me  for  three  months;  but  they  wished  me  to  go 
with  them  to  Harrisburg,  where  they  would  get  me  work 
until  such  time  as  the  mill  would  be  ready. 

Mr.  Myers  paid  my  expenses  when  we  took  stage  for 
Harrisburg.  We  were  caught  in  a  snow-storm,  and  it  took 
two  days  and  nights  to  get  through.  On  Saturday  morning 
I  called  on  the  purchasers  of  the  mill.     We  canvassed  the 


20  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

city  for  work,  but  could  not  get  any.     I  then  concluded  to 
go  to  Reading,  and  promised  Mr.  Sterret  that  I  would  in 
form  him  where  I  located,  so  that  he  could  notify  me  when 
the  mill  was  ready. 

GOES  TO  READING,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

I  went  to  the  stage  office  and  learned  that  the  stage 
would  not  leave  again  until  Monday  morning.  The  Legis- 
lature was  in  session,  board  was  high,  and  as  twenty  dollars 
was  all  the  money  I  had,  I  concluded  to  leave.  The  livery 
man  wanted  ten  dollars,  and  I  to  pay  expenses.  I  thought 
if  I  could  get  out  into  the  country,  I  could  go  for  less. 
Ten  miles  out  they  wanted  the  same.  I  walked  on  and 
made  twenty-two  miles  that  afternoon. 

I  was  tired  and  foot-sore,  and  in  the  morning  very  stiff 
and  lame.  Here  they  wanted  six  dollars  to  take  me  to 
Reading.  I  thought  as  I  had  made  twenty-two  miles  in 
half  a  day,  I  certainly  could  make  thirty  in  a  whole  day, 
which  would  be  good  wages.  I  started  out  and  walked  all 
day,  but  only  made  twenty  miles.  I  came  up  with  a  gen- 
tleman with  a  buggy  going  to  Reading,  and  paid  him  one 
dollar  to  let  me  ride  with  him  to  the  city. 

AT   WORK    IN   THE    RAILROAD    SHOPS. 

The  next  day  I  called  on  the  master  mechanic  of  the 
Philadelphia  &  Reading  Railroad,  and  got  employment  in 
the  shops  until  such  time  as  a  vacancy  should  occur  on 
the  road.  About  this  time  one  man  a  day  was  being  killed 
there.  I  concluded  that  I  would  remain  in  the  shop, 
which  I  did  for  two  years.  I  then  got  a  situation  and  moved 
to  the  Catasauqua  Iron  Works,  in  Lehigh  County.  Previ- 
ous to  this  we  had  been  in  the  habit  of  living  up  to  my 
income. 


Originating  the  A.  0.  U.  W.  21 

SAVING,    AND    OUT    OF    WORK. 

I  finally  made  up  my  mind  that,  as  soon  as  I  was  paid, 
I  would  lay  by  ten  dollars  and  that  I  would  not  spend  it  as 
long  as  I  could  help  it.  My  wife  thought  that  it  could  not  be 
done;  however,  we  concluded  to  try,  and  we  got  along  about 
as  well  as  before,  except  that  we  did  not  buy  so  much  nonsense. 
I  remained  with  the  Iron  Company  and  saved  one  hundred 
dollars.  I  then  got  out  of  work  and  traveled  around  the 
country  for  some  time.  I  finally  got  a  situation  on  the 
Mine  Hill  &  Schuylkill  Haven  Railroad,  Geo.  W.  Glass, 
Master  Mechanic,  and  R.  A.  Wilder,  General  Superintendent. 

APPOINTMENT    AS    MASTER    MECHANIC. 

After  I  had  got  moved  my  hundred  dollars  was  all  gone; 
still  I  adhered  to  the  ten-doUar-a-month  system.  Two 
years  from  this  time,  the  master  mechanic  resigned,  and 
David  Clarke  was  appointed  to  succeed  him.  I  then  acted 
as  foreman  for  a  year,  when  Clarke  resigned,  and  I  received 
the  appointment  of  master  mechanic,  which  I  held  for 
thirteen  years. 

ORIGINATING  THE  ANCIENT  ORDER  UNITED  WORKMEN. 

The  circumstances  which  caused  me  to  think  of  a  plan 
by  which  working  people  would  be  benefited,  and  their 
families  protected  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  husband  and 
father,  were  as  follows: — 

In  June  of  1864,  while  I  was  master  mechanic  of 
the  Mine  Hill  &  Schuylkill  Haven  Railroad,  the  train 
hands  demanded  an  advance  of  fifty  cents  a  day  in  their 
wages.  Engineers  were  then  getting  three  dollars  and 
sixty  cents  per  day.  I  notified  the  President  of  the  road 
of  the  demand,  and  he  directed  me  to  give  them  an  ad- 


22  Life  of  Father  UPCHURCii. 

vance  of  forty  cents  per  day  all  round,  which  would  give 
engineers  an  even  four  dollars  a  day. 

The  proposition  was  received  with  great  derision.  They 
said  to  mc  that  their  union  had  directed  them  to  demand 
fifty  cents  and  take  nothing  less,  and  unless  that  demand 
was  acceded  to,  they  would  go  on  a  strike. 

I  was  very  forcibly  impressed  with  the  injustice  done  to 
men  by  any  order  or  society  which  thus  assumed  to  direct 
in  matters  of  such  vital  importance,  while  they  (the  society) 
could  not  possibly  know  much,  if  anything,  about  the  cir- 
cumstances under  which  the  difficulty  had  arisen  between 
the  employer  and  employe,  as  was  very  evident  in  the 
present  difficulty. 

•  The  men  went  on  a  strike.  They  were  out  two  weeks, 
when  the  Secretary  of  War  sent  on  a  corps  of  engineers 
and  firemen,  put  them  in  my  charge,  and  I  operated  the 
road  for  two  weeks  in  the  interest  of  the  Government. 

At  the  exjDiration  of  that  time,  the  men  were  ready  to 
return  to  work  at  what  I  had  offered  them  before  the  strike 
took  place. 

These  men  had  lost  a  whole  month's  wages  that  never 
could  be  regained,  and  some  of  them  were  not  able  to  lose 
four  days  in  the  month  without  depriving  their  families  of 
some  of  the  comforts  of  life. 

The  inquiry  arose  in' my  mind,  "  What  right  has  any  man 
or  set  of  men  to  dictate  to  others  what  wages  they  should 
receive?  What  right  has  a  society  to  order  that  men 
must  not  work  unless  the  demands  of  the  society  are  com- 
plied with  ?  Who  gave  them  power  to  take  away  or  con- 
trol the  will  of  workingmen  ?  " 

As  I  thought  over  the  subject,  I  saw  more  and  more  the 
injustice  done  not  only  to    capital,  but  to   laboring   men, 


Oil  Speculation.  23 


whom  they  profess  to  befriend.  I  was  thoroughly  convinced 
the  way  these  societies  were  managed,  that  they  exercised  a 
baneful  influence  upon  the  business  relations  of  the  country. 

I  was  convinced  that  something  should  be  done  to  try 
to  harmonize  the  two  great  interests  of  our  country,  capi- 
tal and  labor.  They,  being  equal,  should  receive  equal  pro- 
tection. 

There  was  such  an  impression  made  upon  my  mind  that 
something  should  be  done,  that  I  finally  made  up  my  mind 
to  do  all  in  my  power  to  accomplish  this  great  object,  and 
if  possible  unite  employer  and  employe  into  an  organiza- 
tion and  obligate  them  to  the  same  great  principles,  of 
"the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number;"  and  I  am  happy 
to  say  that  where  this  has  been  done  there  has  been  no 
trouble  between  the  employer  and  employe. 

I  went  to  work  on  the  great  task  allotted  to  me,  and 
when  an  idea  struck  me  I  would  write  it  down. 

OIL    SPECULATIONS. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1864,  the  oil  excitement  became 
rampant.  I  got  a  pretty  heavy  dose.  I  had  saved  some 
money  and  thought  I  would  soon  make  a  fortune.  I  was 
told  by  my  friends  in  Pottsville  that  if  I  would  take  three 
thousand  shares  of  stock  in  the  Martin -Binehoff  Petroleum 
Company,  they  w^ould  appoint  me  as  their  superintendent, 
with  a  salary  of  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum.  I 
resigned  my  position  on  the  road  to  take  effect  January  i, 
1865. 

I  then  went  to  the  oil  regions  and  opened  an  office  in  the 
Washington  McClintock  House,  Petroleum  Center.  The 
winter  was  very  severe  and  w^e  could  do  nothing  until  spring 
opened.  I  then  saw  that  more  money  was  made  by  specu- 
lation than  by  sinking  wells. 


24  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

While  here,  I  got  in  conversation  with  Capt.  Francis  J. 
Keffer,  on  the  trouble  that  was  then  agitating  the  business 
relations  of  the  country  between  capital  and  labor,  and  I 
disclosed  to  him  my  plan  of  uniting  them  in  one  grand 
organization.  T  thought  if  it  was  carried  out  in  good  faith, 
it  would  obviate  those  difficulties  and  benefit  both  employer 
and  employe. 

Brother  Keffer  thought  the  object  was  a  good  one,  and 
encouraged  me  to  perfect  and  introduce  the  work;  and  I 
am  proud  to  say  that  he  showed  his  faith  by  uniting  with 
the  Order  at  the  first  opportunity  and  became  a  Grand 
Master  Workman. 

I  got  the  refusal  of  two  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  on  the  Tionesta;  I  was  to  pay  sixty 
thousand  dollars  for  it  wh^n  sold.  I  took  the  papers  to 
Philadelphia  and  put  them  in  the  hands  of  a  broker  at 
two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  I  was  to  give  the 
broker  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for  stocking;  and  I 
subscribed  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  to  the  capital  stock. 
When  the  war  closed,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  view  the 
land  and  report  when  the  money  would  have  been  paid  in. 

On  peace  being  declared,  everything  like  speculation 
closed.  That  summer  and  fall  I  put  down  two  wells, 
which  did  not  produce  oil  enough  to  pay  for  the  pumping. 

GOES    TO    ALABAMA. 

In  December  I  received,  through  M.  W.  Baldwin  &  Co., 
the  appointment  of  master  mechanic  of  the  Alabama  & 
Florida  Railroad,  headquarters  at  Montgomery.  I  sold  out, 
and  on  the  ist  of  February,  1866,  after  shipping  my 
goods  by  vessel,  I  took  my  family  and  started  South.  I 
made  but  slow  progress,  and  had  to  lie  over  every  night 
after  leaving  Washington. 


Visits  His  Mother.  25 

visits  his  mother. 

At  Franklinton,  North  Carolina,  I  stopped  off  to  visit  my 
mother.  We  could  get  no  conveyance  except  a  large  farm 
wagon,  drawn  by  four  scrawny  mules,  and  had  to  go  eight 
miles  into  the  country.  I  found  my  mother  well.  I  had  not 
seen  her  for  twenty  years.  Here  one  of  my  children  was 
taken  sick,  which  detained  us  several  days.  We  finally  bade 
them  farewell,  and  again  took  the  train,  stopping  at  Thomas- 
ton  a  few  days  to  see  a  niece,  a  Mrs.  Pleasant. 

On  leaving  here,  we  passed  through  Salisbury,  which  was 
in  a  very  dilapidated  condition,  from  the  effects  of  the  war. 
We  finally  reached  the  end  of  the  road,  twenty-seven  miles 
north  of  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  it  having  been  torn  up 
by  Sherman's  army.  The  country  was  completely  devasta- 
ted, and  we  had  to  take  stage  for  Columbia,  twenty-seven 
miles;  fare,  seven  dollars  each,  large  and  small;  stopping  at 
Columbia  overnight. 

In  the  morning  we  took  the  train  for  Augusta,  via  Branch- 
ville,  where  we  changed  cars.  In  the  afternoon  we  came  to 
the  end  of  the  road  again.  There  were  a  good  maiiy  pas- 
sengers and  only  six  ambulances  to  carry  us  twenty-four 
miles  to  Johnson's  Siding;  fare,  seven  dollars  each.  We 
had  considerable  amusement,  notwithstanding.  The  ambu- 
lances were  drawn  by  old,  broken-down  muies,  and  we  made 
about  three  miles  an  hour.  The  beating  those  poor  animals 
had  to  take,  will  never  be  forgotten.  There  was  a  conductor 
who  carried  a  sea-shell,  that  he  would  blow  every  few  min- 
utes; he  said  to  keep  his  train  together.  He  was  a  jolly, 
good  fellow  and  created  a  great  deal  of  fun;  but  the  worst 
had  to  come.  It  was  as  dark  as  a  black  cat,  and  the  rain 
pouring  down  like  fury.  Amidst  all  this,  he  discovered  that 
the  ambulance  that  we  were  in  was  about  to  follow  the 
example  of  the  mules, — break  down. 


26  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

One  ambulance  was  full  of  negroes.  The  conductor 
stopped  them,  when  we  changed  ambulances,  baggage  and 
all,  in  the  rain,  the  scene  being  lit  up  with  one  tallow  candle 
in  a  lantern.  However,  the  change  was  made  and  we  pro- 
ceeded, and  finally  reached  the  station  in  time  for  the  train. 
I  have  heard  nothing  from  the  ambulance  or  negroes  since. 

REACHES     MONTGOMERY. 

We  proceeded  with  no  mishap  until  we  finally  reached 
Montgomery,  February  13.  This  trip  cost  me  four  hundred 
and  sixty-five  dollars,  and,  pretty  wtU  worn  out,  we  stopped 
at  the  Exchange  Hotel.  In  the  morning  I  reported  to  Sam 
Jones,  the  superintendent,  who  wished  me  to  take  charge  at 
once,  but  I  had  to  find  a  place  for  my  family.  Board  at 
the  hotel  w^as  six  dollars  per  day.  I  secured  board  at  a 
private  house  at  forty-seven  dollars  a  w^eek  for  the  family. 
I  wished  I  w^as  back  in  Pennsylvania,  and  if  I  had  not  been 
ashamed  to  return  so  soon,  I  would  have  returned  at  once. 
Everything  was  unnecessarily  high- -the  people  had  not 
forgotten  Confederate  prices.  I,  however,  entered  upon 
my  duties. 

The  ship  on  which  my  goods  were  loaded  got  into  the 
ice  and  had  to  return  to  Philadelphia  for  repairs.  In  six 
weeks  she  finally  landed  in  Mobile.  I  was  notified  of  the 
fact  and  that  a  salvage  bill  was  charged  against  them  amount- 
ing to  thirty  dollars,  which  I  got  refunded  from  the  Insur- 
ance Company. 

TAKEN  SICK. 

About  a  month  after  my  arrival  here,  I  was  taken  sick, 
most  of  the  time  not  being  able  to  attend  to  business  prop- 
erly. The  doctors  finally  told  me  that  if  I  remained  there 
the  following  summer  I  would  die,  which  I  was  not  ready 
to  do. 


Home  Again.  27 


Having  been  solicited  to  take  the  superintendence  of 
putting  down  some  oil  wells  in  St.  Stephen's  County,  I  con- 
cluded to  resign,  and  on  October  i,  sent  my  family  back  to 
Pennsylvania,  thinking  that  I  would  remain  with  the  oil  com- 
pany until  spring.  I  employed  men  to  put  the  wells  down, 
but  in  a  short  time  I  was  prostrated  with  what  was  called 
the  ''  break-bone  "  fever,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
that  was  not  the  country  for  me.  I  resigned  November  i, 
and  started  North. 

RETURNS    NORTH. 

I  got  as  far  as  High  Point,  North  Carolina,  where  I 
stopped  off  to  visit  a  sister.  Here  I  was  taken  sick  with 
diphtheria.  1  had  the  best  of  attention  from  my  sister  and 
niece.  At  this  time  one  of  my  children  was  sick  with  typhoid 
fever  at  home.  I  can  assure  you  than  I  was  very  anxious. 
One  day  my  niece  played  •'  Home,  Sweet  Home  "  on  the 
piano,  and  as  I  lay  upstairs,  I  shed  tears  like  a  baby.  Do 
not  laugh  at  me,  I  could  not  help  it. 

HOME    AGAIN. 

As  soon  as  I  was  able  to  get  out,  I  again  took  the  train 
for  home,  where  I  arrived  very  weak  and  jaded.  I  remained 
at  home  a  few  weeks  and  then  went  to  the  Baldwin  Loco- 
motive Works  at  Philadelphia.  The  firm  told  me  to  go 
into  the  shop,  and  when  I  felt  like  working  I  could  do  so. 
I  remained  with  them  until  April,  1867,  when  I  got  a  situa- 
tion in  the  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  RaJlroad,  at  Altoona, 
but  was  not  able  to  do  much.  What  money  I  had  when  I 
went  South  was  expended,  and  work  I  must.  I  continued 
to  improve,  however,  aided  by  the  mountain  air,  and  by 
October  i  I  felt  pretty  well  again.  I  was  given  the  position 
of  die-sinker  for  the  company,  which  was  a  pretty  easy  job. 
I  remained  here  until  April,  1868,  when  I  got  a  situation  in 


28  Life  of  Father  IJpchurciI:. 

the  lathe  shop  of  the  Atlantic   &  Great  Western  Railroad, 
at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 

AT     MEADVILLE,     PENNSYLVANIA. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  I  was  informed  that  a  society  had 
been  organized  there,  which  was  called  "The  League  of 
Friendship,  Supreme  Mechanical  Order  of  the  Sun."  I 
was  told  that  this  was  the  Order  for  the  protection  of  the 
workingmen.  In  June  I  was  proposed  and  elected  to 
membership  in  the  Order.  I  was  but  a  short  time  in  mak- 
ing the  discovery  that  the  Lodge  was  groping  in  the  dark. 
We  could  get  no  information  whatever  from  the  Grand 
Council,  unless  we  invested  more  money  and  took  what  was 
called  the  "  Knight  of  the  Iron  Ring  "  degree,  which  re- 
quired a  further  payment  of  five  dollars.  I  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  whole  thing  was  rotten  to  the  core,  got- 
ten up  for  the  purpose  of  fraud,  and  therefore  unworthy  the 
confidence  and  support  of  workingmen.  I  made  known  to 
the  members  what  I  thought  of  it,  many  of  them  agreeing 
with  me. 

IS    ELECTED   MASTER. 

I  was  elected  Honorable  Master  of  the  League.  I  to^.d 
the  members  that  I  had  a  plan  that  was  calculated  to  bene- 
fit the  working  people  more  than  anything  that  I  knew  of. 
I  explained  its  principles  to  them  as  far  as  possible  and 
redoubled  my  efforts  to  inculcate  in  their  minds  the  objects 
contemplated  in  the  plan  which  I  had  been  working  up. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  League  held  on  September  29,  1868, 
the  following  resolutions  were  offered  and  carried: — 

ATTEMPTS    AT     REFORM. 

^'■Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  to 
revise  and  remodel  the  work  of  the  Order,  together  with  the 
Constitution  and  By-Laws;  and  that  the  committee  corre- 


The  New  Order.  29 


spond  with  all  the  dlher  Lodges  and  with  the  Grand  Coun- 
cil asking  for  their  approval. 

^^  Resolved,  That  if  the  Grand  Council  will  not  approve  of 
the  revised  work,  we  will  return  to  them  our  Charter,  moneys, 
etc.,  and  at  once  proceed  to  organize  a  new  Order. 

'•  Resolved,  That  the  Honorable  Master  be  the  Chairman 
of  said  committee." 

The  following  brothers  were  then  appointed  as  the  Com- 
mittee on  Revision:  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Chairman;  J.  R. 
Umberger,  W.  W.  Walker,  M.  H.  McNair,  H.  C  Deross, 
A.  Klock,  J.  R.  Hulse. 

The  committee  met  at  the  house  of  the  Honorable  Mas- 
ter, on  the  evening  of  October  ii,  1868,  and  expressed 
their  willingness  to  leave  the  work  in  the  hands  of  the  chair- 
man. 

As  soon  as  I  had  written  out  the  first  degree  and  the 
Constitution,  I  notified  the  committee  of  the  fact.  A  part 
of  them  met,  and  after  hearing  the  ritual  and  Constitution 
read,  they  all  expressed  their  approval,  stating  that  they 
were  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  entire  work. 

On  October  27,  1868,  I  reported  to  the  League  that  the 
Constitution  and  the  first  degree  were  ready.  Report 
accepted  and  committee  continued. 

THE    NEW    ORDER. 

After  the  Charter,  etc.,  of  the  League  was  removed,  I 
read  the  Constitution,  which  was  adopted  by  sections.  I 
then  administered  the  obligation  of  the  first  degree  to  thir- 
teen persons  besides  myself,  viz.: — 

J.  J.  Upchurch,  A.  Oaster,  P.  Linen,  T.  F.  Upchurch, 
W.  C.  Newberry,  W.  S.  White,  J.  R.  Hulse,  M.  H.  McNair, 
H.  C  Deross,  J.  R.  Umberger,  S.  Rositer,  P.  Lawson,  A.  P. 
Ogden,  and  J.  R.  Tracy. 

Thus  dates  the  organization  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen. 


30  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

trials  and  difficulties  of  the  new  order. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  several  of  the  members  came 
to  me  and  demanded  that  the  words  "  white  male  "  be 
stricken  from  the  Constitution,  which  I  refused  to  do.  The 
Recorder  then  refunded  to  each  man  his  entrance  fee. 

On  November  3,  the  second  meeting  night,  I  went  to 
the  hall,  not  knowing  whether  there  would  be  anyone  there 
or  not,  when  six  of  the  thirteen  came  forward  and  paid  their 
initiation  fee  the  second  time,  including,  viz.: — 

A.  Oaster,  P.  Linen,  T.  F.  Upchurch,  H.  C.  Deross,  and 
J.  R.  Umberger. 

During  the  fall  and  winter  I  taught  two  classes  in  machine 
drawing. 

In  the  fall  of  1869,  I  was  sent  to  Leavittsburg,  Ohio,  to 
take  charge  of  a  shop  there,  which  I  held  for  three  years. 
The  shop  was  then  closed  and  I  returned  to  Meadville  and 
went  to  work  in  the  shop. 

UNCONSTITUTIONAL    PROCEEDINGS. 

While  in  Leavittsburg,  I  was  notified  by  the  Grand  Re- 
corder that  on  December  10,  1870,  a  meeting  had  been 
called  by  Keystone  Lodge,  No.  4.  It  was  believed  that  an 
attempt  would  be  made  to  institute  an  opposition  Grand 
Lodge.  I  made  it  my  business  to  be  present  at  the  opening 
of  this  meeting. 

The  Master  Workman  stated  that  the  meeting  had  been 
called  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  degrees.  I  informed 
him  that  he  had  no  authority  to  confer  degrees  at  a  special 
meeting,  without  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master 
Workman,  and  as  a  dispensation  had  not  been  applied  for, 
none  had  been  granted.  The  Lodge  then  closed.  Imme- 
diately after  closing,  Bro.  George  Jeffery  was  called  to  the 
chair,  and  W.  W.  Walker  appointed  Secretary. 


w  s  o-rs-? 


S  R  -  g  ..  ,  .. 


^§-3 
:r3 


,.^  '-^  -'.;S  ^  ^  n 

^p  o 

5  S  S  Co  n^ 

J^  3  2.^  3  3  y 

3      ?3  3-;;-£:5 

OCR 


.2'i'g 


•^  8  ^  S 
P  ^§- 


2  rt  ^ 


ft  -I  g  ^  :; 
3  :^  5  p  i3 


c  p 
«  5 


=r5' 

-.Orq   o' 

°Orq   TTj^   g-Cfq   sj 

•^    «   3   "^^Tn-? 
^   t^v.   go   Ji'"- 

i  8  ^^"^  2'S- 

o  3  ^  '-^  s:  r- r:! 


P 


3":?2.'„ 

^  ft 
ft 


ft  ft 


ft  fro. 


's  ft 


:  en 


o  " 


__  ^,'  ^^  ft 

SW   3   O    o"q? 

"o^^^?H. 


S^ 


^  3  ft  _ 

<:   5  =  ft 


^11  II" 


C     r-    ^ 


S-2  ^  2 

^  ft  _  3" "  ~  -< 
£-.  ij  ?;  ft  „  ft  o 


3" 
o 

c 


-  -3  p  3  ^^ 

■  5:      ji  ">  3 

3-5-^  ^-. 

p    C    O  -fl    5' 

•<  rr"  n  c  ^  S 

^  3  e:s: 

-p  P  n  o 


li~ 


gw  £.p  ft  5-£.  ^ 

Bp<^  X  pg  o-  J 

^lIloT-  i 

rr2   ii        n   ■*>'-^. 


7      7      t^        // 


lA^O  o  u 


0 4  3  IN  V 


000000 

3      ki      I       "^      H      -3 


o 


o. 


D 


lif>W7/-ri;fQ 


O  -P>f 6 


o 


Secession.  33 

TIic  Chairman  stated  that  the  object  of  the  meeting  was 
to  call  a  convention  to  form  a  State  Grand  Lodge,  to  take 
the  place  of  the  Provisional  Grand  Lodge,  announcing  the 
fact  that  there  were  now  six  subordinate  Lodges  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  as  they  had  a  constitutional  right  to  form  such 
Grand  Lodge  they  would  proceed  to  do  so  as  soon  as  possible. 
I,  still  being  in  the  hall,  protested  against  the  proceedings  as 
being  unconstitutional,  irregular,  and  uncalled  for. 

If  the  present  Grand  Lodge  was  only  provisional  (which  I 
most  positively  denied),  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting 
were  irregular  and  unconstitutional,  for  the  proper  way  was 
to  notify  the  Grand  Master  Workman,  when  he  should  issue 
the  call  for  the  convention  to  meet  and  form  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

I  stated  to  them  that  the  article  from  which  they  claimed 
to  have  received  their  authority,  did  not  apply  to  Pennsylva- 
nia, but  to  those  Lodges  in  other  States  working  under  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  further,  if  I,  the  Grand 
Master,  was  in  error  in  the  matter,  and  if  the  members  were 
dissatisfied  with  ihe  present  Grand  Lodge  officers,  they  could 
elect  such  brothers  as  suited  them,  as  it  was  only  a  few 
days  until  the  next  election  would  take  place,  it  being  the 
last  meeting  night  in  the  month. 

SECESSION. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned,  without  taking  any  definite 
action,  re-assembled  in  another  hall,  and  passed  resolutions 
seceding  from  the  original  Grand  Lodge;  when  I  immedi- 
ately revoked  the  Charter  of  all  Lodges  which  participated 
in  the  secession. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Grand   Lodge  held  in   Meadville, 
Pennsylvania,  in  January,  187 1,  J.  O.  Rockwell,  of  No.  3, 
was  elected  as  Grand  Master  Workman.     I  was  created  the 
Provisional  Supreme  Master  Workman. 
3 


34  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

The  two  wings  of  the  Order  having  made  two  attempts 
in  the  Grand  Lodges  to  compromise  their  differences  and 
again  become  united,  and  faiHng,  the  idea  that  I  would  try 
what  I  could  do  to  accomplish  the  desired  object  struck 
me.  I  approached  W.  W.  Walker,  the  Grand  Master  of 
the  secession  wing,  on  the  subject  of  a  union.  He  thought 
the  object  could  not  be  consummated,  as  the  attempt  had 
been  made  without  success.  My  reply  was  that  all  former 
attempts  were  illegal.  I,  as  Provisional  .  u[)reme  Master 
Workman,  had  given  no  authority  for  such  proceeding,  but 
I  thought  that  I  had  a  plan,  which  if  he,  as  Grand  Master 
Workman  of  his  wing  of  the  Order,  would  agree  to,  the 
object  sought  could  and  would  be  brought  about. 

RECONCILIATION. 

My  plan  was  as  follows: — 

That  each  wing  of  the  Order  appoint  five  representatives, 
to  meet  in  convention  to  be  held  at  an  early  day,  to  try  and 
accomplish  the  desired  object;  each  representative  ])ledging 
his  sacred  honor  to  abide  by  and  support  the  decision  ar- 
rived at  by  said  convention  and  to  do  all  in  his  power  to 
induce  his  Lodge  to  acquiesce  in  the  same. 

This  convention  met  in  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  January 
14,.  1873,  and  was  composed  of  the  following  brothers: — 

From  the  original  Grand  Lodge:  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Provis- 
ional Supreme  Master  Workman;  Jas.  M.  McNair;  Joseph 
Morehead,  Grand  Master  Workman;  J.  H.  Williams,  and 
Robert  Greav^. 

From  the  secession  Grand  Lodge:  W.  W.  Walker,  Grand 
Master  Workman;  Jas.  M.  Bunn,  M.  W.  Sackett,  H.  G.  Pratt, 
and  Jas.  McCandless. 

The  object  for  which  the  convention  was  called  was  hap- 
pily consummated. 


Opens  a  Store.  35 


ELECTED  PAST  SUPREME    MASTER    WORKMAN. 

The  first  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  convened  at  Cine  innati, 
Ohio,  February  11,  1873,  with  eleven  members  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio,  and  Kentucky.  At  this  meeting  I  was  made 
Past  Supreme  Master  Workman. 

GOES    TO    STEELVILLE,    MISSOURI. 

In  iMarch,  1873,  I  received  the  appointment  from  A.  L. 
Crawford,  of  Newcastle,  Pennsylvania,  as  master  mechanic 
on  the  St.  Louis,  Salem  &  Little  Rock  Railroad,  in  Missouri, 
the  road  being  yet  under  construction.  I  ran  a  locomotive 
until  it  was  finished.  I  then  took  two  locomotives  to  Spring- 
field, Missouri,  and  had  them  overhauled,  after  which  I 
commenced  to  put  up  a  shop  at  Steelville,  and  put  in  the 
necessary  machinery. 

In  1875,  trade  was  very  dull  on  the  road.  The  President 
wanted  me  to  make  a  hand  in  the  shop  and  still  retain  the 
position  of  master  mechanic.  I  told  him  I  did  not  do  two 
men's  work  for  one  man's  pay,  and  resigned. 

OPENS    A    STORE. 

I  then  opened  a  provision  store  in  Steelville,  and  ran  it 
for  eight  or  nine  months,  when  the  superintendent  of  the 
Cuba  Planing  Mill  Company  wanted  me  to  take  charge  of 
the  works  as  su])erintendent. 

GOES    TO    CUBA,    MISSOURI. 

I  then  sold  out  my  store  and  went  to  Cuba.  In  the  fall 
I  saw  that  the  company  was  not  making  any  money,  and  as 
I  got  a  chance  to  sell  my  stock  in  the  mill,  I  did  so  and 
resigned. 

GOES    TO    ST.    LOUIS. 

I  then  hired  to  run  a  locomotive  on  the  Cairo  &  St.  Louis  . 
Narrow  Gauge    Railroad.     After   seeing  the   road,  I  con- 


36  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

eluded  to  go  to  work  in  the  shop.  During  the  summer  I 
was  sent  to  East  St.  Louis  to  take  charge  of  the  round- 
house. I  remained  there  until  the  winter.  The  company 
had  but  two  pay-days  during  the  year;  they,  however, 
issued  meal  checks  that  we  could  pay  our  board  with. 

SUSPENDED RE-INSTATED. 

When  I  wanted  money  for  the  support  of  my  family,  I 
had  to  sell  my  time  at  a  discount  of  twenty  per  cent,  con- 
sequently I  became  poor,  so  much  so  that  I  was  unable  to 
pay  my  dues  and  assessments  in  the  Order,  when  I  was  sus- 
pended. Bro.  J.  M.  McXair  and  W.  A.  Dungan  had  my 
dues  and  assessments  paid  up,  when  I  was  re-instated,  for 
which  I  am  under  many  obligations.  Bro.  Samuel  B. 
Myers,  of  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  3,  made  application  for  my 
withdrawal  card;  the  first  I  knew  of  it  was  the  receipt  of 
a  power  of  attorney  for  me  to  sign,  authorizing  Samuel  B. 
Myers  to  sign  the  Constitution  for  me.  No.  3  then  jjaid 
my  dues  and  assessments  until  I  got  on  my  feet  again,  a 
kindness  that  I  shall  always  appreciate. 

The  road  went  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver,  and  I  was 
thrown  out  of  employment. 

To  explain  the  foregoing,  I  have  received  the  following  copy 
of  minutes  from  Bro.  W.  A.  Dungan,  Recorder  of  Jefferson 
Lodge,  No.  I,  Ancient  Order  United  Workmen,  Meadville, 
Pennsylvania: — 

"I  have  this  day,  as  you  request,  found  the  Minute  Book 
of  Banner  Lodge,  No.  i. 

"This  Lodge  was  organized  by  the  consolidation  of  Jef- 
ferson, No.  i;  Keystone,  No.  4;  and  Starr,  No.  35.  Ban- 
ner was  the  only  name  they  could  agree  upon.  In  said 
Minute  Book  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.  i,  I  find  all  the  pro- 
ceedings of  your  suspension,  re-instatement,  withdrawal,  and 
the  depositing  of  your  card  in  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  3. 


Minute  Book.  S7 


"  Hall  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.  A\' 

"Meadville,  Pa.,  September  12,  1876. 
"On  motion  it  was  resolved  that  this  Lodge  transmit  to 
Brother  Upchurch  a  statement  of  his  standing  in  this  Lodge, 
so  that  he  may  visit  other  Lodges. 

Chas.  W.  Stewart,  Recorder.'''' 

"Hall  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.   VV.,  ) 
"Meadville,  Pa.,  October  24,  1876.      j 
"The  following  brothers  were  suspended  from  insurance: 
Thos.    Brannan,  J.  H.   Davis,  Nathan    Hausmicht,  E.   C. 
Kipler,  J.   C.   Rupp,  Peter  Linen,  Jas.    L.   Murray,  A.  C. 
Smith,  J.  H.  Sweeney,  and  J.  J.  Upchurch. 

Chas.  James,  Recorder'^ 

"Hall  of   Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.   W.,  \ 
"Meadville,  Pa.,  November  7,  1876.      j 
"  On  motion  of  Bro.  Wm.  A.  Dungan,  Brother  Upchurch 
was  re-instated  in  the  insurance  department  of  this  Order. 
J.   H.  Williams,  Recorder  pro  tern.'' 


Hall  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.  W. 
"Meadville,  Pa.,  January  6,  1877. 


) 

A  communication  received  from  Brother  Upchurch, 
asking  that  this  Lodge  grant  him  a  withdrawal  card.  iMoved 
that  this  Lodge  cancel  his  dues  and  grant  the  card.  Laid 
over  for  one  week.  J.  H.  Williams, 

Recorder  pro  ievi^ 

'•'  Hall  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.  W. 

"Meadville,  Pa.,  January  23,  1877. 
"  On  motion  of  Bro.  W.  A.  Dungan,  an  order  was  drawn 
for  $3.80  for  Brother  Upchurch's  dues,  and  his  withdrawal 
card  was  then  granted.  J.  H.  Williams, 

Recorder  pro  fem.'^ 

"Hall  of  Banner  Lodge,  No.   i,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  1 
'•  Meadville,  Pa.,  February  27,  1877.      J 

"  Communicaiion  from  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  3,  commu- 
nicating that  Brother  Upchurch  has  deposited  his  card  in 
that  Lodge.  W.  A.   Dungan,  Recorder" 


\ 


38  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

visits  supreme  lodge  at  st.  louis. 

After  leaving  the  Cairo  &  St.  Louis  Road,  I  could  get 
nothing  to  do,  so  I  visited  the  Sui)reme  Lodge  while  it  was 
in  session  at  St.  Louis.  Tlicy  were  kind  enough  to  donate 
to  me  one  hundred  dollars. 

I  placed  my  claim  a^^ainst  tl*e  Railroad  Company, 
amounting  to  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars,  in  the 
hands  of  Ex-Governor  Thomas  C  Fletcher.  It  was  not 
collected,  however,  until  June,  1882. 

RELIEF    FROM    PENNSYLVANIA. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania 
called  on  its  members  to  contribute  to  my  relief,  which  was 
responded  to  nobly  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars, 
which  was  indeed  a  (xodsend.  It  took  a  mortgage  off  my 
home,  which  otherwise  would  have  been  sold. 

TRIES    FARMING. 

Having  nothing  to  do,  I  rented  a  piece  of  land,  bought 
a  horse,  and  tried  to  do  something  in  farming  on  a  small 
scale.  I  worked  hard,  but  owing  to  the  dry  season,  did 
not  make  much. 

["  It  seems  that  there  was  a  disposition  among  some  of  the 
Lodges  about  this  time  to  ignore  the  fraternal  obligation, 
to  help  the  brothers,  in  extreme  cases,  outside  their  own 
jurisdiction — a  disposition  which  culminated  so  unha})pily 
some  years  later,  in  Iowa.  The  following  letter  on  the 
subject  was  written  by  Father  Upchurch,  to  the  Propagator. 

-F.D.] 

"  We  call  es})ecial  attention  to  a  letter  from  Brother  Up- 
church, in  another  column,  which  should  interest  every  in- 
telligent member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 


A  Good  Fatherly  Letter.  89 

from  the  fact  that  Brother  Upchurch  is  known  and  acknowl- 
edged as  the  founder  of  our  Order,  and  he  therefore  styles 
himself  with  great  propriety,  our  '  Old  Father.'  As  such,  his 
counsels  and  advice  should  not  only  be  listened  to,  but  fol- 
lowed^ particularly  as  the  matter  is  one  of  vital  imi)ortance  to 
evcy  member  of  the  Order,  whether  he  lives  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, Ohio,  Kentucky,  Iowa,  or  Michigan.  We  know  not  what 
the  future  has  in  store  for  us;  it  is  therefore  wise  to  heed 
the  call  of  distress,  lest  when  we  call  there  may  be  no  re- 
sp07ise. 

A  GOOD  FATHERLY  LETTER. 

"  Marysville,  Mo.,  August  29,  1879. 

"  Editor  Propagator — Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  I  regret 
very  much  that  I  feel  called  upon  to  make  known  my  feel- 
ings to  the  brothers  of  our  beloved  Order,  on  the  subject 
of  separate  beneficiary  jurisdictions.  In  the  first  place,  it 
was  never  intended  that  any  Grand  Lodge  should  have  the 
control  of  its  beneficiary  fund,  but  that  it  should  be  collected 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  officers,  and  handed  over  to  the  Su- 
preme Lodge  for  disbursement  as  it  is  thought  best. 

"  But,  at  the  suggestion  of  Representatives  of  the  Su- 
preme Lodge,  that  to  allow  each  Grand  Lodge,  when  they 
attained  two  thousand  members,  the  privilege  of  a  separate 
beneficiary  jurisdiction,  would  work  to  the  advantage  of  the 
Order  generally,  by  inducing  members  to  labor  more  zeal- 
ously in  building  up  Lodges,  thereby  reducing  the  number 
and  amount  of  death  assessments,  which  might  have  resulted 
in  good  had  our  brothers  kept  the  objects  of  our  noble 
Order  in  their  minds;  but,  unfortunately,  it  seems  that  a 
portion  of  our  Order  have  lost  sight  of  these  obligations, 
and  the  great  object  for  which  our  Order  was  established, 
viz.:  to  assist  each  other,  our  wives,  widows,  and  orphans; 
to  protect,  sustain,  and  elevate  them  to  that  position  God 
in  his  wisdom  created  them  to  fill.  Are  we  fulfilling  that 
obligation  ?  Are  we  carrying  out  those  great  principles  which 
are  the  life  and  sinews  of  our  beloved  Order,  when  we 
refuse  or  neglect  to  respond  to  the  call  of  those  who  are  in 
need  and  have  a  right  to  call  upon  us  for  assistance  in  time 


40  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

of  adversity?  Let  us  lose  sight  of  self,  and  extend  the 
hand  of  charity  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the  loved  ones  of 
our  departed  brothers;  let  us  do  our  duty  faithfully  and  true, 
and  by  so  doing  we  will  not  only  have  the  blessing  of  the 
living  but  of  the  dead.  Let,  for  instance,  the  situation  be 
reversed.  Should  we  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Iowa,  or  Mis- 
souri be  in  trouble,  should  we  not  expect,  and  of  right,  too, 
that  the  brothers  of  other  States  and  jurisdictions  would 
render  assistance?  Would  we  be  worthy  the  name  of 
brother  should  we  refuse  to  do  so?  It  seems  that  jurisdic- 
tions are  of  the  opinion  that  because  the  Supreme  Lodge 
in  its  wisdom  has  seen  fit  to  grant  separate  beneficiary  juris- 
dictions, they  are  independent  of  the  Supreme  Lodge, 
and  are  not  bound  to  respect  and  abide  by  its  orders.  Do 
you  not  know  that  it  is  the  head  of  the  Order?  There  is 
no  appeal  from  its  mandates.  It  can  create  and  destroy; 
the  power  that  creates  a  law  also  has  the  power  to  repeal  it. 
The  Supreme  Lodge  grants  Charters  to  State  Grand  Lodges, 
and  I  do  not  believe  that  any  of  us  for  one  moment  would 
deny  the  Supreme  Lodge  the  right  to  revoke  that  Charter. 
That  would  indeed  be  the  spirit  of  secession,  which  I  trust 
will  never  be  raised  in  our  beloved  country  and  especially 
in  our  noble  Order. 

"Now,  brothers,  let  me,  your  old  father,  call  upon  you,  as 
noble  sons,  to  lay  aside  all  bickerings  and  discontent.  Let 
us  come  up  to  the  work  of  relief  manfully;  let  us  contribute 
of  our  means  to  the  wants  of  those  who  are  in  need,  and 
have  a  right  to  expect  assistance  from  us.  Not  knowing 
how  soon  our  dear  ones  may  be  placed  in  the  same  situa- 
tion, what  a  happy  thought  it  is  to  a  dying  brother  that  the 
loved  ones  are  watched  over  by  faithful  and  true  friends; 
but  should  we  neglect  that  duty,  would  they  not  look  down 
upon  us  from  that  Grand  Lodge  above,  with  scorn  and  con- 
tempt ? 

"I  trust  that  these  few  thoughts  may  cause  you  to  reflect, 
and  discharge  your  duties  faithfully, 

"I  remain  yours  most  truly,  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

J.  J.  Upchurch." 


Recommends  Libraries,  etc.  41 


PILE    DRIVING. 

In  the  spring  of  1879,  J.  W.  Blanchard,  Superintendent 
of  Construction  on  the  St.  Louis  &  Council  Bluffs  Rail- 
road, gave  me  a  situation  of  looking  after  a  number  of  pile- 
drivers  on  bridge  work.  I  commenced  work  west  of  Marys- 
ville,  and  remained  with  them  until  they  reached  the. State 
line. 

["  Increasing  years,  a  large  family,  irregular  employment, 
and  ill  health  combined  to  keep  his  financial  condition  at  a 
pretty  low  ebb  about  this  time.  And  it  was  in  the  hearts  of 
many  good  brothers,  in  consideration  of  the  sacrifices  he 
had  made  for,  and  his  position  as  founder  of,  the  Order,  to 
relieve  his  condition  by  a  ten-cent  subscription  throughout 
the  Supreme  Jurisdiction.  The  following  letters  to  the 
Propagator,  and  editorial  comment,  were  written  as  dated. — 
Ed.] 

RECOMMENDS    LIBRARIES,  ETC. 

"Sedalia,  Mo.,  August  4,  1880. 

"Editor  Propagator — Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  Your  kind 
letter  came  duly  to  hand,  also  paper,  for  which  accept 
thanks. 

"  I  promised  to  write  you  a  few  lines,  but  since  my  return 
I  have  not  been  able  to  gather  my  scattered  thoughts  for 
the  task  until  now,  being  on  the  sick  list  for  a  few  days. 
Am  better  to-day,  but  not  able  to  go  to  work;  so  I  will  try 
to  explain  to  you  my  views  on  a  few  points  which  are  car- 
ried on  in  our  beloved  Order. 

"  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  a  number  of  Lodges 
both  East  and  West,  and  invariably  found  a  slim  attendance. 
Now,  what  is  the  cause  of  this  ?  Is  it  because  the  work  has 
become  less  interesting  than  formerly  }  or  is  it  because  the 
social  advantages  are  lost  sight  of  in  looking  after  the  finan- 
cial or  beneficial  advantages  ? 

"  It  is  commendable  that  all  make  a  preparation  for  sick- 


42  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

ness,  old  age,  and  death,  in  laying  up  something  to  supply 
our  wants  and  those  of  our  families;  but  this  was  a  second- 
ary consideration  in  the  formation  of  our  noble  Order,—: 
the  social  advantages  to  be  derived  by  meeting  to.c^ether  as 
a  band  of  brothers  tried  and  true,  to  discuss  and  devise  the 
best  means  of  advancing  our  brothers  in  the  highway  of  in- 
telligence and  ])rosperity.  I  am  sorry  to  state  that  but  few 
Lodges  have  libraries,  which  is  one  of  the  leading  features 
of  the  Order — to  induce  its  members  and  their  offspring  to 
search  for  knowledge,  and  fit  them  to  fill  high  and  honora- 
ble stations.  I  have  always  contended  that  the  laboring 
classes  had  the  requisite  amount  of  brain^  but,  unfortunately, 
they  have  had  no  chance  to  develope  and  expand  it  by  re- 
search. Let  it  be  said  that  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  has  done  more  in  developing  the  genius  of  the 
country  than  any  other  organization  that  was  ever  estab- 
lished. 

"There  is  another  feature,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  which  to 
some  extent  is  not  carried  out  as  fully  as,  in  my  mind,  it 
should  be;  that  is,  the  employment  feature,  or  labor  bureau, 

"  All  must  admit  that  the  Lodges  would  be  far  better  off 
if  their  members  were  kept  in  steady  employment.  It  may 
be  ])Ossiblc  that  I  am  prejudiced  in  favor  of  the  original 
employment  plan,  but  if  so,  it  is  from  the  honest  conviction 
of  my  heart  that  it  would  be  the  best  plan  yet  ])roduced, 
and  would  be  equally  beneficial  to  both  those  who  labor  with 
the  head  as  well  as  the  hands. 

"  I  trust  that  the  good  work  will  continue  to  spread  until 
its  influence  may  be  felt  for  good  all  over  tlie  Christian 
world. 

"  I  tender  my  warmest  regards  to  my  children  everywhere. 
This  I  can  do,  though  I  may  never  b.-  able  to  see  them. 
'•Fraternally  yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

J.  J.  Upchurch. 

UPROOT   THE    WEEDS,  ETC. 

Sedalia,  Mo.,  August  22,  1880. 
"  Editor  Propagator — Dear  Sir  arid  Brother:  You  have 
certainly  placed  me  under  many  obligations  for  the  interest 


Uproot  the  Weeds,  Etc.  43 

you  have  taken  in  my  welfare.  I  do  not  claim  that  the 
brothers  of  our  noble  Order  are  under  any  obligation  to 
me;  what  I  have  done  was  for  the  benefit  of  others,  not 
expecting  to  reap  any  pecuniary  benefit  from  it  more  than 
another.  I  am  truly  thankful  that  so  much  good  is  being 
done  through  my  humble  efforts.  To  know  that  the  tears  of 
the  widow  and  the  orphan  have  been  dried,  that  they  have 
been  clothed  and  fed,  and  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
cold  charities  of  the  world,  gives  me  a  satisfaction  that 
money  could  not  purchase.  I  know  that  thousands  have 
been  relieved  in  times  of  distress,  that  to-day  appreciate  my 
labor,  and  thank  God  that  such  an  Order  was  instituted.  I 
shall  feel  amply  repaid  for  all  the  labor  that  I  have  expended 
if  the  Order  continues  to  grov;,  and  its  influence  is  felt  for 
good,  in  every  State  and  county.  You  wish  to  know  what 
my  financial  condition  is?  It  is  low.  I  am  at  work  at 
low  wages.  It  takes  about  all  I  earn  to  make  both  ends 
meet;  but  should  I  continue  to  have  good  health  and  steady 
employment,  by  the  help  of  God  I  will  try  to  get  along  a 
few  years  longer,  when  my  mission  will  have  an  end,  when 
another  will  take  it  up  and  push  it  forward  to  a  more  noble 
and  successful  purpose  than  I  have  done.  I  tried  to  select 
good  seed,  and  sowed  them,  as  I  believe,  in  good  ground. 
My  brothers  are  the  husbandmen  that  are  to  dig  about 
them  and  uproot  the  weeds,  that  in  many  Lodges  are  chok- 
ing out  the  life  of  its  true  principles.  Let  us  wait  and  hope 
that  our  members  may  speedily  return  to  a  deep,  sober 
thought,  which  will  point  out  their  duties  plainly,  not  only 
to  themselves,  but  to  the  whole  Order. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  learn  that  some  of  the  jurisdictions  still 
refuse  to  respond  to  the  call  in  aid  of  the  yellow  fever  suf- 
ferers. Is  it  possible  that  a  Workman  should  be  so  lost  to 
humanity  as  to  turn  his  back  upon  their  suffering  widows 
and  orphans  after  so  solemnly  obligating  ourselves  to 
aid  and  support  ?  May  the  great  Supreme  Master  Work- 
man above  direct  us  aright. 

"  Fraternally  yours  in  C.,  H.,  and  P., 

J.  J.  Upchurch." 


44  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

railroading  again. 

I  was  then  put  on  the  Clarinda  Branch,  where  I  remained 
until  the  work  was  nearly  completed.  I  received  a  letter 
from  J.  W.  Blanchard  to  go  to  Marysville;  he  said  that  he 
had  applied  for  the  position  of  foreman  in  the  round-house 
at  Council  Bluffs  for  me,  and  that  Mr.  Selby,  the  general 
master  mechanic,  said  he  would  give  it  to  me,  but  wanted 
me  to  go  to  TNIoberly,  when  we  could  have  a  talk.  I  called 
on  him,  showed  him  my  letters  from  the  best  railroaders  in 
the  East,  when  he  said  he  wanted  me  to  go  to  work  in  the 
shop.  He  thought  after  awhile  he  could  give  me  a  shop. 
I  went  to  work. 

VISITS    THE    GRAND    LODGE    AT    MEADVILLE. 

Having  been  previously  invited  by  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  Lodges,  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  to 
visit  them  during  the  session  of  their  Grand  Lodge  to  be 
held  the  second  Tuesday  in  January,  1880,  I  accepted  the 
invitation.  On  my  arrival  in  Meadville,  I  was  met  at  the 
depot  by  Bro.  W.  A.  Dungan,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Reception,  and  was  conducted  to  rooms  in  the  McHenry 
House.  The  next  day  I  visited  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  was 
warmly  received  by  my  old  friends.  The  meeting  of  the 
Lodge  was  a  very  interesting  one.  At  the  close  of  the  session, 
a  grand  banquet  was  given  by  the  Lodges  and  citizens  of 
the  city  in  Library  Hall.  About  four  hundred  members  and 
invited  guests  sat  down  to  this  magnificent  repast.  A  num- 
ber of  fine  addresses  were  delivered  on  the  occasion. 

GOES    TO    FRANKLIN,    PENNSYLVANIA. 

I  remained  here  until  Monday,  and  then  went  to  Frank- 
lin, accompanied  by  Bro.  Albert  Hayden.  On  my  arrival 
I  was  met  by  a  committee  at  the  depot,  and  escorted  to  the 


Moves  to  Pennsylvania.  45 

hotel.  In  the  evening  a  grand  reception  was  given  me  at 
the  Opera  House,  the  hall  being  packed  to  its  utmost  ca- 
pacity. I  was  conducted  to  the  sta^e  by  Bro.  Samuel  B. 
Myers,  who  delivered  the  address  of  welcome  in  a  feeling 
and  enthusiastic  strain  of  eloquence,  which  was  responded 
to  by  repeated  applause. 

I  was  then  introduced  and  gave  them  a  short  talk.  When 
I  had  finished,  Brother  McClure  arose  and  addressed  me 
in  the  most  beautiful  strain  of  language  and  fraternal  senti- 
ment one  could  wish  to  have,  concluding  by  presenting  me 
with  a  beautiful  gold-headed  cane,  appropriately  engraved 
on  behalf  of  the  members  of  No.  3. 

I  replied,  accepting  the  beautiful  and  useful  token  of 
their  friendship,  as  well  as  the  fullness  of  my  heart  could 
permit. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises,  all  were  invited  to  the 
banquet-hall,  where  a  magnificent  feast  had  been  prepared 
by  the  ladies.  About  six  hundred  members  and  invited 
guests  sat  down  to  enjoy  the  rare  viands  that  had  been 
placed  before  us.  We  had  a  very  good  time,  and  one  never 
to  be  forgotton  by  me.  Franklin  is  a  beautiful  as  well  as  a 
wealthy  little  city.  My  friends  tried  to  procure  a  situation 
for  me,  but  there  was  nothing  to  be  had.  They  said  if  I 
was  located  there  it  would  not  be  long  before  I  would  find 
employment.  I  remained  here  a  few  days  and  then 
returned  to  Moberly,  Mo.  On  reaching  there,  I  received  a 
letter  from  my  wife,  stating  that  a  gentleman  wished  to 
purchase  my  property. 

MOVES   TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 

I  immediately  went  home,  sold  my  place,  and  went  back  to 
Franklin,  Pennsylvania,  and  procured  a  situation  in  the 
shops  of  the   Oil  Well  Supply  Company,  Oil  City,  at  two 


46  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

dollars  and  a  half  a  day.  I  worked  two  weeks,  when  the 
superintendent  stated  that  the  other  men  had  found  out 
that  I  was  getting  more  than  what  had  been  agreed 
upon  by  the  shops;  they  demanded  that  my  wages  be  re- 
duced to  two  dollars  and  thirty  cents.  I  refused  to  accept 
the  reduction  and  left  the  shop.  I  then  went  down  to 
Franklin,  and  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Mr.  Elnery  to 
run  his  machine  shop  on  shares.  I  rented  a  house  and  sent 
for  my  family,  or  rather  a  part  of  them,  my  wife  and  two 
youngest  children. 

I  thought  I  would  do  well,  but  the  price  of  oil  went  down 
to  seventy-one  cents  per  barrel.  The  operators  would  have 
nothing  done  unless  they  were  compelled  to  do  so.  I  re- 
mained here  two  months  and  received  forty  dollars.  I 
became  discouraged;  there  was  an  excursion  party  going 
West  over  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  on 
Monday  morning.  I  made  up  my  mind  to  return  West.  I 
had  posters  struck  off;  Tuesday  afternoon  I  sold  out;  and 
on  Wednesday  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  I  was  on  the  train 
going  West. 

RETURNS    WEST SICK.  AND  OUT    OF    EMPLOYMENT. 

We  went  to  Kansas  City;  I  liad  received  a  letter  that 
there  was  a  job  for  me  when  I  arrived;  but  when  I  got  there 
the  place  was  filled.  I  could  not  find  anything  to  do  in  the 
city,  so  I  decided  to  send  my  family  to  Marysville  to  see 
some  friends,  and  I  w^ent  to  Sedalia,  Missouri,  where  I  got 
work  in  the  shop  of  the  Missouri  Pacific  Railroad.  I  rented 
a  house  and  sent  for  my  family.  In  the  fall  my  health  be- 
came so  poor  that  I  was  not  able  to  work  more  than  half 
the  time. 

RELIEF    FROM    THE    ORDER. 

During  the  winter  of  1880-81,  the  members  of  the  Order 
contributed  about  four  thousand  dollars  to  my  relief,  which 


Honors  Extended  to  Him.  47 

was  a  relief,  indeed.  While  in  Franklin,  being  fearful  that 
the  manuscript  of  the  work  of  the  Order  might  get  lost, 
moving  around  so  much,  I  left  it  in  charge  of  Bro.  Samuel 
B.  Myers,  for  safe-keeping.  He  still  retains  it,  and  probably 
will  do  so  until  my  death. 

MOVES    BACK    TO    STEELVILLE. 

In  the  spring  of  1881,  we  again  moved  to  Steelville, 
Missouri.  I  opened  an  undertaker's  office  and  lumber-yard, 
but  did  not  do  much  business. 

VISITS    THE    SUPREME    LODGE    AT    CINCINNATI. 

In  June,  1882,  the  members  of  the  Order  in  Cincinnati 
invited  me  to  visit  them  during  the  session  of  the  Supreme 
Lodge,  at  their  expense.  I  accepted  the  invitation,  and  on 
my  arrival  I  was  met  at  the  depot  by  a  Committee  of  Recep- 
tion and  escorted  to  the  Gibson  House,  where  most  of  the 
Supreme  Lodge  representatives^were  stopping. 

On  the  next  morning  I  was  presented  to  the  Supreme 
Lodge  by  the  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman  Frizzell,  and 
Samuel  B.  Myers,  in  a  speech  by  the  latter,  to  which  I  re- 
plied in  a  short  talk.  We  had  a  fine  session,  and  on  the 
re-election  of  Brother  Baxter  to  the  office  of  Supreme  Master 
Workijian,  I  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Past  Supreme  Mas- 
ter Workman. 

HONORS    EXTENDED    TO    HIM. 

A  resolution  was  introduced  and  passed,  inviting  me  to 
visit  the  Supreme  Lodge  whenever  I  felt  so  disposed,  and 
that  I  be  paid  mileage  and  per  diem  the  same  as  representa- 
tives. I  replied  with  many  thanks.  With  some  members 
of  the  Supreme  Lodge  I  visited  the  Subordinate  Lodges 
each  night  we  were  in  the  city.  We  were  escorted  to  the 
garden  on  the  heights.  On  Friday,  thirty  carriages  were 
procured  and  filled  with  members  of  the  Supreme  Lodge 


48  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

and  invited  guests  under  the  efficient  leadership  of  Bro.  S. 
S.  Davis,  Supreme  Receiver,  and  we  were  driven  through 
the  city,  the  first  stop  being  at  the  Exposition  Building, 
which  is  a  magnificent  structure.  The  Music  Hall  is  fitted 
up  in  grand  style  and  has  the  next  largest  organ  in  the  United 
States,  on  which  the  professor  gave  us  some  excellent  music. 
On  leaving  here,  went  to  Cook's  Carriage  Factory,  where  we 
saw  vehicles  of  all  kinds  and  styles  being  manufactured  in 
all  their  various  branches.  There  were  seven  hundred  men 
employed  in  these  works. 

We  then  proceeded  to  the  city  work-house,  were  con- 
ducted through  the  establishment  by  the  warden,  and  its 
operations  explained.  When  we  were  about  ready  to  depart, 
we  were  invited  to  partake  of  a  repast  that  had  been  pro- 
vided in  a  magnificent  style,  to  which  ample  justice  was 
done,  after  which  a  number  of  fine  speeches  were  made. 

We  again  entered  carriages  and  were  driven  to  the  ceme- 
tery, which  contains  three  thousand  acres,  and  is  said  to  be 
the  finest  in  the  United  States.  On  leaving  here,  we  were 
taken  through  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  which  surpass  any- 
thing I  have  ever  seen  for  beauty  and  excellence. 

PRESENTATION. 

We  next  stopped  at  the  Zoological  Gardens,  which  con- 
tain a  fine  collection  of  rare  birds  and  animals  from  almost 
every  nation  and  clime.  At  half  past  three  o'clock  dinner 
was  announced,  to  which  about  five  hundred  sat  down. 
Old  Father  Hennessy,  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  i  (the 
second  Lodge  that  was  ever  instituted),  took  me  under  his 
especial  care.  When  we  sat  down  to  dinner,  I  noticed  that 
Father  Hennessy  and  myself  were  placed  at  opposite  ends 
of  the  table  from  the  Supreme  Lodge  officers.  After  awhile 
Father  Hennessy  said  that  a  brother  at  the  other  end  of  the 


Attends  the  Supreme  Lodge  at  Buffalo.         49 


table  wished  to  see  me;  so  we  left  our  seats  and  went  for- 
ward, when  Bro.  John  Frizzell  arose  and  presented  me  with 
a  magnificent  gold  badge,  anchor  and  shield,  with  diamonds 
set  in  the  anchor.  On  the  reverse  side  is  engraved,  "Pre- 
sented to  J.  J.  Upchurch,  P.  S.  M.  W.,  Father^of  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.,  by  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Lodge,  1882." 

The  presentation  was  made  in  a  grand  flow  of  language, 
which  cliaracterizes  every  speech  made  by  the  Honorable 
Workman. 

I  was  taken  so  much  by  surprise  that  for  some  moments 
I  was  unable  to  reply;  but  finally  did  so  with  many  thanks, 
pledging  myself  to  wear  the  offering  in  honor  of  the  donors 
and  with  credit  to  myself. 

Dinner  over,  we  again  took  carriages  and  drove  through  the 
park  to  the  hotel.     The  next  day  we  visited  the  water-works, 
which  is  a  splendid  piece  of  work.     At  noon  we  visited  the 
fire  department,  when  the  men  and   horses  went  through 
their  drill  in  fine  style.     On  Monday  returned  home. 
attends  the  supreme  lodge  at  buffalo. 
In  1883,  I  attended  the  Supreme  Lodge  at  Buffalo,  which 
was  a  very  pleasant  session;    visited    several    Subordinate 
Lodges,  took  a  drive  around  the  old  fort,  and  through  the 
park,  stopping  at  the  hotel  in  the  park  where  a  magnificent 
banquet  had  been  prepared  for  the  hundreds  of  Workmen, 
ladies,  and  invited  guests,  to  which  ample  justice  was  done. 
I  was  introduced  to  the  Mayor  and  many  brother  Workmen. 
There  was  some  excellent  music  and  dancing. 

On  the  next  evening  we  had  a  moonlight  excursion  on 
the  lake,  which  was  very  delightful.  After  landing,  on  our 
return,  three  companies  of  '^  Select  Knights"  escorted  us  to 
the  hotel. 

The  following  day  a  special  train  was  engaged  to  convey 
4 


50  Life  of  Father   (Jpchurch. 

us  to  Niagara  Falls;  we  took  dinner  at  the  International 
Hotel,  and  when  we  were  through,  took  carriages  and  drove 
on  to  Goat  Island,  where  we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  Ameri- 
can and  Horse-shoe  Falls.  We  then  went  up  to  the  upper 
end  of  the  island  and  had  a  good  view  of  the  Rapids.  We 
here  entered  carriages  and  crossed  over  to  the  Canadian 
side,  where  we  had  a  view  of  the  falls  from  John  Bull's 
territory.  We  then  returned  to  the  Am.erican  side  and 
entered  the  park.  After  spending  a  couple  of  hours  there, 
we  returned  to  the  hotel  and  took  supper.  We  again 
visited  the  park  under  the  electric  lights.  The  sight  was 
most  beautiful,  the  park  being  illuminated  in  a  magnificent 
manner.  At  ten  o'clock,  p.  m.,  we  took  the  cars  for  Bufialo. 
The  next  day  we  started  for  home  and  arrived  safely. 

HIS    RIGHT   TO    BE    CONSIDERED     FOUNDER    OF    THE    ORDER 
DISPUTED. 

While  in  Buffalo,  Dr.  A.  B.  Robbins,  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives to  the  Supreme  Lodge,  published  a  card  in  one 
of  the  Buffalo  papers,  to  the  effect  that  Brother  Lenhart,  of 
No  I,  Meadville,  and  himself  were  the  authors  of  our  bene- 
ficiary article.  Brother  Lenhart  immediately  arose  in  the 
Supreme  Lodge  and  emphatically  denied  the  assertion, 
soon  after  which,  Bro.  Samuel  B.  Myers,  of  Franklin,  No. 
3,  offered  the  following  from  the  Supreme  Lodge  Joiirfial: — 

HIS    RIGHT    SUSTAINED    BY    THE    SUPREME    LODGE. 

"  At  the  late  session  of  the  Supreme  Lodge,  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  held  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted: — 

^^ Resolved,  That  the  Supreme  Recorder  place  upon  the 
minutes  the  record  of  our  Order,  together  with  the  objects 
of  our  Order  as  originally  promulgated,  as  well  as  the  fact 
as  to  who  prepared  and  submitted  the  original  Constitution 
and  Ritual. 


His  Right  Sustained.  51 

"  In  accordtince  with  the  above  resolution,  the  following 
statement  is  submitted: — 

"  In  the  year  1868,  Bro.  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Past  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  resided  in  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  cni^aged  as  a  machinist  in  the  railroad  shops  of  the 
Atlantic  &  Great  Western  Railroad. 

•'  He  was  proposed  and  elected  to  membership  in  the 
Order  known  as  '  The  League  of  Friendship,  Supreme 
Mechanical  Order  of  the  Sun.' 

"The  conduct  of  the  business  of  the  Order  not  proving 
satisfactory  to  the  membership,  it  was  resolved  by  the 
League  at  Meadville  to  abandon  its  Charter  and  organize  a 
new  Order. 

"  To  this  end  a  committee  of  seven  members  of  the 
Lodge,  consisting  of  J.  J.  Upchurch  as  Chairman,  W.  W. 
Walker,  J.  R.  Umberger,  M.  H.  McNair,  Henry  Deross,  A. 
Klock,  and  J.  R.  Hulse,  were  appointed  to  report  at  a  future 
meeting. 

"  Brother  Upchurch  was,  at  the  date  of  the  dissolution  of 
the  League,  occupying  the  position  of  presiding  officer,  viz., 
Honorable  Master  of  the  Lodge. 

"The  committee,  on  the  evening  of  October  11,  1868, 
met  at  the  house  of  Brother  Upchurch,  who  presented  the 
objects  and  plans  of  an  Order  which  for  years  he  had  been 
considering.  The  committee  was  so  favorably  impressed 
with  the  objects  and  plans  presented  by  Brother  Upchurch, 
that  it  was  resolved  to  intrust  the  entire  matter  of  formulat- 
ing a  Ritual,  Constitution,  and  By-Laws  to  govern  the 
Order,  to  him. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  defunct  League, 
held  ctober  27,  1868,  Brother  Upchurch,  as  Chairman  of 
the  committee,  presented  a  Ritual*  ond  Constitution  for  a 
new  Order,  which  was  accepted,  and  an  organization  was  at 
once  perfected  under  the  provisions  thereof. 

''  The  following  named  persons  were  present  and  obligated 


*The  Is-itual,  presented  bv  Brother  Upchurch,  was  continued  in  use 
by  the  Order  until  the  organization  of  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  Order, 
in  the  year  1873. 


52  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

as  members  of  the  Order,  each  paying  a  fee  of  one    dollar 
for  membership: — 

J.  J.  Upchurch,  A.  Oaster,  P.  Linen,  T.  F.  Upchurch,  C. 
W.  Newberry,  W.  S.  White,  J.  R.  Flulse,  M.  H.  McNair, 
Henry  Ueross,  J.  R.  Umberger,  S.  Rositer,  P.  Lawson,  A. 
P.  Ogden,  and  J.  Tracy. 

Officers  were  elected  and  installed  as  follows: — 
J.  J.  Upchurch,  Master  Workman;  J.  R.  Umberger,  Chief 
Foreman;  J.  A.  Tracy,  Overseer;  M.  H.  McNair,  Secre- 
tary; J.  R.  Hulse,  Treasurer;  Henry  Deross,  Guide;  A.  P. 
Ogden,  Chaplain;  W.  S.  White,  Outside  Watchman;  S. 
Rositer,  Inside  Watchman;  Trustees,  W.  C.  Newberry,  T. 
F.  Upchurch,  and  P.  Linen. 

VISITS  THE  SUPREME  LODGE  AT  TORONTO. 

In  1884,  I  visited  the  Supreme  Lodge  at  Toronto,  in  the 
Province  of  Canada.  We  were  nobly  received,  and  every- 
thing was  done  that  could  be  to  make  the  occasion  the 
most  pleasant,  and  cement  the  Brothers  of  the  two  Govern- 
ments, if  possible,  more  closely  together.  We  had  a  grand 
good  time  at  Floral  Hall.  There  was  an  immense  crowd,  a 
number  of  fine  speeches  being  delivered  on  the  principles 
and  benefits  derived  from  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen.  A  magnificent  banquet  was  prepared  at  the 
hotel,  the  occasion  being  well  attended  by  the  members  of  the 
Supreme  Lodge,  invited  guests,  and  ladies.  There  were  a 
number  of  eloquent  speeches  by  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  the 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  State,  and  many  others.  It 
was  a  time  long  to  be  remembered  by  all  who  participated 
in  it.  I  visited  a  number  of  Subordinate  Lodges  and 
addressed  the  members.  We  were  honored  with  a  steam- 
boat excursion  on  the  lake,  went  up  the  mouth  of  the 
Niagara,  passed  Fort  Niagara,  with  the  flags  of  the  two 
Governments  at  the  mast-head.  Had  a  most  pleasant  ses- 
sion. 


Meets  P.  G.  M.  W.  Barnes  of  California.       53 


GETS  ROBBED  ON  THE  TRAIN. 

I  had  been  invited  to  visit  a  Lodge  meeting  at  Buffalo  on 
my  return  home,  which  I  consented  to  do.  I  took  the  cars 
at  Toronto  for  Buffalo,  but  not  being  directed  which  car 
went  over  to  Erie,  I  got  in  the  wrong  one.  When  the  con- 
ductor came  around,  he  said  that  I  must  get  into  the  next  car 
in  the  rear,  but  that  I  would  have  ample  time  to  change  at 
the  Falls;  and  as  Bro.  E.  M.  Ford  was  going  over  the  same 
line,  we  concluded  to  wait  until  we  reached  the  Falls  before 
making  the  change.  On  the  stopping  of  the  train  there 
was  a  perfect  rush  of  men,  women,  and  boys  for  the  car  that 
we  were  in;  the  passage-way  was  blocked  for  some  minutes 
and  I  was  almost  thrown  down.  Finally  our  train  started, 
and  when  the  conductor  came  through,  I  found  that  I  was 
unfortunate  enough  at  the  Falls  to  have  had  my  pocket 
picked  of  all  the  money  I  possessed  and  a  return  ticket  to 
St.  Louis,  amounting  in  all  to  .about  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars.  It  was  like  a  thunder-bolt  thrown  at  me; 
being  hundreds  of  miles  from  home,  and  without  a  cent  to 
pay  my  fare,  you  may  imagine  my  feelings. 

Bro.  E.  M.  Ford,  Grand  Recorder  of  Kansas,  paid  my 
fare  to  Buffalo.  Brother  Beach,  of  the  Fraternal  Censor, 
was  in  waiting  for  me  at  the  depot,  when  Brother  Ford 
related  to  him  my  mishap. 

MEETS  PAST    GRAND  MASTER    WORKMAN  WM.  H.  BARNES,  OF 
CALIFORNIA. 

We  entered  a  hack  and  went  direct  to  the  hall.  Here 
were  Grand  Master  Loomis,  of  New  York,  and  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman,  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  of  California.  I  was  in- 
troduced to  the  audience,  when  I  addressed  them  with  all  the 
enthusiasm  at  my  command  under  the  circumstances.  Broth- 
ers Loomis  and  Barnes  having  been  informed  of  the  robbery, 


54  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

the  latter  made  known  to  the  audience  my  unfortunate  con- 
dition, when  a  contribution  of  twenty-seven  dollars  was 
promptly  raised  for  my  relief.  In  the  morning,  Brother 
Beach  took  me  to  the  office  of  the  Chief  of  Police.  I  made 
known  my  statement  to  him,  but  he  thought  the  chance  to 
discover  the  thief  was  slim — which  proved  to  be  a  fact. 
He,  however,  went  with  us  to  the  railroad  office  and  got  me 
a  ticket  over  the  Canadian  Southern  to  Chicago.  Brother 
Beach  gave  me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  Mail  Service,  who  procured  me  a  ticket  over  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  to  St  Louis.  I  feel  myself  deeply 
indebted  to  the  Brothers  of  Buffalo,  and  to  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  Mail  Service  at  Chicago,  for  their  kindness. 

PROTEST  OF  W.  W.  WALKER. 

The  appendix  published  by  the  Supreme  Recorder,  as 
directed  by  the  Supreme  Lodge,  held  at  Buffalo,  brought 
out  a  protest  from  W.  W.  Walker,  the  head  and  front  of  the 
secession  wing  of  the  Order,  stating  that  he  was  the  founder 
of  the  Order  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
His  assurances  were  put  in  such  positive  language  that  the 
Supreme  Lodge  felt  called  upon  to  investigate  the  matter, 
and  it  was  called  up  and  referred  to  Brother  Babst,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Appendix,  and 
the  following  report  was  adopted: — 

VINDICATION  BY  THE  SUPREME  LODGE. 

Toronto,  Ontario,  June  5,  1884. 
"  To  the  Supreme   Lodge  Aiicient  Order  of  United   Work- 

ine7i: — 

"Your  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  correct- 
ness of  the  appendix  to  proceedings  of  Supreme  Lodge 
session  of  1883,  and  the  protest  of  Bro.  W.  W.  Walker 
against  its  adoption,  would  respectfully  report  that  we  have 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.         55 


examined  the  protest,  and  on  comparing  it  with  the  records, 
find  that  Bro.  W.  W.  Walker  is  mistaken  in  the  subject  matter 
of  his  protest.  We  find,  from  evidence  before  us,  that  Bro. 
J.J.  Upchurch,  as  early  as  1865,  had  submitted  to  persons  the 
same  principles  that  were  afterwards  incorporated  in  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  We  find,  from  the 
records  of  the  Order,  that  Bro.  J.  J.  Upchurch  was  author 
of  the  Ritual  in  the  organization  of  the  Order,  was  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Constitution,  By-Laws  and 
Insurance  Article  (as  it  was  called).  We  find,  also,  that 
Bro.  W.  W.  Walker  was  not  a  member  of  the  Order  until 
the  second  meeting  after  the  organization.  We  find  the 
records  so  plain  and  complete  in  this  respect,  that,  in  the 
judgment  of  your  committee,  there  is  no  question  as  to  Bro. 
J.  J.  Upchurch  being  the  founder  of  the  Order,  and 
recommend  the  approval  of  appendix  to  the  proceedings  of 
18S3. 

[Stgn^:d]  Chas.  Babst,      \ 

Theo.  a.  Case,  V  Committee^ 
(5.  R.  Barry,      ) 

FIRST 'CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  ANCIENT    ORDER    OF 
UNITED  WORKMEN. 

"  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  objects  and  Constitution 
entire,  as  presented  by  Bro.  J.  J.  Upchurch  to  Jefferson 
1  odge.  No.  I,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,— the  first 
Lodge  of  the  Order,  instituted  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania, 
October  27,  1868:" — 

[We  make  no  apology  for  inserting  this  document  entire, 
for  the  reasons,  first,  because  it  was  the  original  law  by 
which  the  Order  was  first  governed,  and,  second,  because  it 
is  entirely  the  work  of  the  founder  himself.  He  has  been 
called  "a  simple  minded,  honest  man."  A  careful  perusal 
of  this  Constitution,  however,  will  convince  the  reader  that 
no  man  could  conceive  and  write  it  out,  whose  mind  was 
not  at  once  comprehensive  and  analytical. — Ed.] 


56  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 


PREAMBLE  AJS/D  CONSTITUTION. 

Preamble. — The  Mechanics  and  Workingmen  gener- 
ally have  long  since  seen  the  necessity  of  an  Order  being 
established  on  principles  liberal  enough  to  embrace  all  the 
various  branches  of  the  mechanical  and  scientific  arts, 
believing  that  by  so  doing,  the  interests  of  its  members  will 
receive  greater  protection;  for  where  there  is  union  there  is 
strength. 

CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i.  This  Organization  shall  be  known  as  Jeffer- 
son Lodge,  No.  I,  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, to  be  composed  of  mechanics  and  mechanics'  helpers, 
artists,  and  their  assistants  of  all  the  various  branches.  Its 
executive  functions  shall  be  vested  in  the  officers  hereinafter 
provided  for,  according  to  the  powers,  privileges,  and  limi- 
tations specified  and  enumerated. 

ARTICf^E  II. 

Section  i.  Its  object  shall  be,  first,  to  unite  all  mechan- 
ics and  mechanics'  helpers,  and  those  regularly  employed 
in  any  branch  of  the  mechanical  arts,  so  that  they  may  form 
a  united  body  for  the  defense  and  protection  of  their  inter- 
ests against  all  encroachments,  by  elevating  labor  to  the 
standard  it  is  justly  entitled  to. 

Sec.  2.  To  create  and  foster  a  more  friendly  and  co- 
operative feeling  among  those  who  have  a  common  interest, 
thereby  enabling  them  to  act  promptly  and  decidedly  in 
any  matter  which  may  affect  their  interest. 

Sec  3.  To  examine  and  discuss  those  laws  and  usages, 
National,  State,  and  Municipal,  which  may  be  in  contradic- 
tion to  their  interest;  to  establish  and  maintain  a  library 
for  the  purpose  of  inducing,  its  members  to  acquire  that 
knowledge  which  wall  prepare  and  fit  them  for  any  station 
in  society. 

Sec.  4.  To  hold  lectures  from  time  to  time,  as  the  inter- 
est of  the  Order  may  require ;  the  reading  of  essays,  and 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  57 

the  examination  and  discussion  of  the  merits  and  demerits 
of  new  imi)rovements,  etc. 

Sec.  5.  To  use  all  legitimate  means  in  their  power  to 
adjust  all  differences  which  may  arise  between  employers 
and  employes,  and  to  labor  for  the  development  of  a  plan 
of  action  that  may  be  beneficial  to  both  jjarties,  based  on 
the  eternal  truth  that  the  interest  of  labor  and  capital  are 
equal  and  should  receive  equal  protection. 

Sec.  6.  To  discountenance  strikes  except  when  ihey 
become  absolutely  necessary  for  their  protection,  and  then 
only  after  all  efforts  at  adjustment  have  failed. 

Sec  7.  To  give  all  moral  and  material  aid  in  their  power 
to  members  of  this  Order  who  may  be  afflicted  or  oppressed, 
or  who  may  be  laboring  under  great  difficulties,  to  amelio- 
rate their  condition. 

Sec.  8.  To  combine  and  direct  all  their  influence  for  the 
elevation  of  the  mechanic  and  laborer  in  mental,  moral, 
social,  and  civil  positions. 

ARTICLE  III. 

membership. 

Section  i.  All  mechanics,  artisans,  engineers,  firemen, 
train  conductors,  blacksmiths'  helpers,  and  all  white  male 
persons  in  any  branch  of  the  mechanical  and  scientific  arts 
and  sciences,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of  a  good  moral 
character,  are  eligible  to  membership  to  this  Order. 

Balloting. 

Sec.  2.  In  balloting  for  candidates  for  membership,  if 
.one  blackball  appears,  the  candidate  shall  be  declared 
rejected  unless  a  motion  is  carried  to  reconsider  the  vote, 
when  a  new  ballot  may  be  had  at  the  next  stated  meeting. 
Should  one  or  more  blackballs  aj^pear  at  the  second  bailout, 
the  candidate  shall  be  declared  rejected.  Should  more 
than  one  blackball  appear  at  the  first  ballot,  the  candidate 
shall  be  declared  rejected,  when  another  application  shall 
not  be  entertained  for  six  months. 


58  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Propositio7is. 

Sec.  3.  All  propositions  for  membership  shall  be  made 
in  writing,  stating  age,  residence,  and  occupation,  to  be 
recommended  by  a  member  of  this  Order.  The  petition 
shall  be  accompanied  by  one-half  the  initiation  fee,  and  read 
in  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Order,  and  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee of  three  members,  who  shall  use  every  lawful  means 
to  ascertain  the  character  and  standing  of  the  applicant. 
This  application  shall  be  read  at  each  regular  meeting,  and 
lay  over  two  weeks,  when  a  ballot  shall  be  had.  Any  one 
knowing  the  applicant  to  be  of  bad  character  shall  make  the 
fact  known  to  said  committee. 

Sec.  4.  Should  any  member  blackball  an  applicant  on 
account  of  personal,  political,  or  religious  differences,  or  for 
anything  except  being  unworthy  to  sit  in  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  he  shall,  on  conviction,  be  repri- 
manded, suspended,  or  expelled,  as  the  Order  may  direct 
by  a  two-thirds  vote. 

Sec.  5.  The  initiation  fee  shall  not  be  less  than  two  dol- 
lars, one-half  to  accompany  the  proposition,  the  balance  to 
be  collected  by  the  Secretary.  Before  the  initiation,  should 
the  candidate  be  elected  and  fail  to  come  forward  for  initia- 
tion for  the  space  of  one  month,  the  proposition  fee  shall  be 
declared  forfeited,  unless  a  good  and  sufficient  reason  be 
given.  Should  he  be  rejected,  the  proposition  fee  shall  be 
returned. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

MEETINGS. 

Section  i.  The  regular  meetings  of  this  Order  shall  be 
held  weekly,  at  such  time  and  place  as  a  majority  of  the 
members  present  may  from  time  to  time  determine. 

Sec.  2.  Five  members  and  one  officer  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Sec.  3.  A  member  of  the  Order  who  may  pass  an  exam- 
ination, or  be  vouched  for  by  a  member,  shall  be  entitled  to 
sit  in  the  Lodge,  but  shall  take  no  part  in  the  business 
transactions  unless  invited,  but  may  speak  under  the  rule  of 
the  Good  of  the  Order. 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.         59 


ARTICLE  V. 


OFFICERS. 


Section  i.  The  officers  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  shall  be  a  Master  Workman,  a  Chief  Foreman, 
Overseer,  Guide,  Outside  Watchman,  Inside  Sentinel, 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  Chaplain,  and  .three  Trustees,  wlio 
shall  be  elected  with  their  own  consent  at  the  last  regular 
meeting  in  September,  and  be  installed  the  first  regular 
meeting  in  October,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable. 

Sec.^2.  All  officers  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  and  receive 
a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast.  When  there  is  more  than 
one  candidate  running  for  the  same  office,  the  one  receiv- 
ing the  lowest  number  of  votes  shall  be  withdrawn. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

DUTIES    OF    officers. 

Section  i.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Master  Workman,  as 
executive  officer,  to  preside  at  all  meetings,  maintain  order, 
execute,  or  cause  to  be  executed,  all  laws,  rules,  and  estab- 
lished usages  of  the  Order,  appoint  committees,  announce 
all  votes,  giving  the  casting  vote  in  the  case  of  a  tie  vote, 
call  special  meetings,  sign  all  orders,  certificates,  drafts,  and 
credentials,  see  that  each  officer  attends  stricdy  to  his  duties, 
and  have  full  returns  and  reports  made  out  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  forward  therewith  i\\^per  capita  tax  before  the 
installation  of  his  successor,  giving  the  number  of  members 
in  good  standing  and  the  number  reported  suspended  and 
expelled. 

Sec.  2.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  full  and  complete 
record  of  the  transactions  of  the  Order,  countersign  certif- 
icates, drafts,  and  credentials,  collect  all  moneys,  and  enter 
the  amounts  in  the  minutes,  and  pay  the  amount  over  to  the 
Treasurer,  and  take  his  receipt  for  same,  notify  candidates 
of  election,  call  special  meetings  when  ordered  by  the 
Master  Workman,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  the 
Master  Workman  or  the  Order  may  direct;  and,  at  the  close 
of  the  year,  make  out  a  full  report  of  the  standing  and  con- 


60  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

dition  of  the  Order,  and  deliver  to  his  successor  in  office 
all  books,  papers,  and  other  property  belonging  to  the 
Order. 

Sec  3.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  hold  all  money 
due  or  belonging  to  the  Order,  and  have  the  same  ready  to 
meet  any  demands  on  the  Treasury,  and  make  disburse- 
ments when  directed,  by  drafts  or  checks.  He  shall  keep 
a  correct  account  of  all  moneys  received  from  whatever 
source,  and  how  expended,  by  drafts,  or  checks,  keeping 
them,  on  file  as  vouchers.  He  shall  make  out  a  quarterly 
report  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  Order,  and,  at  the 
close  of  the  year,  make  out  the  annual  report,  and  perform 
such  other  duties  as  the  Master  Workman  or  the  OrJ.er 
may  direct,  and  deliver  to  his  successor  all  books,  papers, 
moneys,  and  other  property  in  his  hands,  belonging  to  the 
Order.  He  shall  give  a  bond,  wdth  approved  security,  in 
such  sum  as  the  Order  may  direct,  for  the  faithful  perform- 
ance of  his  duties. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Chief  Foreman  to 
render  the  Master  Workman  such  assistance  as  he  or  the 
usages  of  the  Order  may  require,  and  in  the  absence  of  the 
Master  Workman,  he  shall  take  the  supervision  of  the  Order 
and  preside  in  his  stead. 

Sec.  5.  The  Overseer  shall  render  such  service  as  the 
Master  Workman  or  Chief  Foreman  may  require,  and  in 
the  absence  of  the  Chief  Foreman,  shall  fill  his  station. 

Sec.  6.  The  Guide  shall  introduce  all  candidates,  and, 
with  a  committee,  shall  examine  all  visitors  or  strangers, 
and  see  t.iat  members  are  properly  clothed,  and  collect  and 
take  charge  of  the  regalia,  etc.,  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  required  from  time  to  time. 

Sec.  7.  The  Sentinel  shall  guard  well  the  inner  and  outer 
doors,  keep  off  all  intruders,  and  perform  such  other  duties 
as  the  Master  Workman  or  the  usages  of  the  Order  may 
require  from  time  to  time. 

Sec.  8.  The  Chaplain  shall  perform  the  opening  and 
closing  ceremonies,  and  assist  in  such  other  duties  as  the 
usages  of  the  Order  may  require. 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.         61 
ARTICLE  VIL 

THE    REGALIA. 

Section  i.  The  regalia  shall  belong  to  the  Order. 
ARTICLE  VIII. 

GRAND    LODGE    TAX. 

Section  i.  Every  Subordinate  Lodge  shall  pay  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  a  tax  of  one  dollar  per  annum  for  each  mem- 
ber in  good  standing,  in  quarterly  installments,  for- the  sup- 
port of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

OFFENSES    AND    PENALTIES. 

Section  i.  Any  member  violating  his  obligation  shall  be 
dealt  with  as  specified  herein. 

Sec.  2.  On  conviction  of  any  other  offense  against  the 
Constitution,  rules,  or  usages  of  the  Order,  neglect  of  duty, 
or  contempt  in  the  meetings,  he  shall  be  reprimanded,  fined, 
suspended,  or  expelled,  as  the  case  may  require. 
Charges. 

Sec.  3.  All  charges  shall  be  made  in  writing,  stating  the 
offense  to  the  Secretary,  who  shall,  under  the  call  for  '•'  New 
Business,"  read  the  same  in  opening  assembly;  and  if  not 
withdrawn,  with  proper  explanations,  the  Master  Workman 
shall  appoint  a  time  w^hen  the  party  shall  be  tried  in  open 
assembly.  He  shall  be  permitted  to  conduct  his  own  case, 
or  select  counsel  from  the  members  of  the  Order.  The 
Master  Workman,  Chief  Foreman,  and  Overseer,  Guide, 
and  Chaplain,  shall  act  as  judges  in  the  case.  Should  the 
party  feel  aggrieved,  he  may  take  an  appeal  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  which  shall  be  final.  He  will  not,  however,  be  per- 
mitted to  take  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Order  while 
his  case  is  pending. 

ARTICLE  X. 

alterations. 
Section  i.    This   Constitution    shall  not  be  altered  or 


62  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

amended  except  by  and  with  the  consent   of  the    Grand 
Lodge. 

ARTICLE  XL 

BY-LAWS. 

Section  i.  Each  Subordinate  Lodge  may  enact  such  by- 
laws and  rules  of  order  as  may  be  required  for  its  workings, 
when  not  in  conflict  with  the  Constitution,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  XIL 

Section  i.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  hold  all  property, 
real  or  personal,  in  trust  for  the  Order,  invest  all  moneys 
when  directed  by  the  Order,  taking  bond  with  approved 
security,  and,  at  the  close  of  their  term,  shall  make  a  full 
report  to  the  Lodge. 

Sec.  2.  All  special  committees  shall  report  at  the  next 
regular  meeting  of  the  Order,  unless  otherwise  directed. 
All  committees  shall  be  appointed  from  members  present. 

Sec.  3.  The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  shall  furnish,  when 
directed  by  the  Master  Workman,  or  the  Order,  all  infor- 
mation that  may  be  in  their  possession,  in  the  transaction  of 
business. 

ARTICLE    XIII. 

Section  i.  No  Subordinate  Lodge  shall  be  dissolved  as 
long  as  there  are  five  members  in  good  standing  who  ob- 
ject thereto. 

Sec.  2.  Should  a  Lodge  be  dissolved,  or  charter  forfeited, 
all  books,  papers,  money,  and  property  of  whatsoever  de- 
scription, shall  be  delivered  to  the  Deputy  Grand  Master 
Workman,  having  charge  of  the  district  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

vacancies. 
Section  i.  When  a  vacancy  shall  occur  in  any  office,  an 
election  shall  be  held  at  a  regular  meeting  as  soon  there- 
after as  practicable,  to  fill  the  office  for  the  unexpired  term. 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  0.  U.  W.         63 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Section  i.  In  the  absence  of  the  District  Deputy  Grand 
Master  Workman,  the  Master  Workman,  or  any  Past  Mas- 
ter Workman,  may  install  the  officers. 

Sfx.  2.  The  Master  Workman,  Chief  Foreman,  Overseer, 
Treasurer,  Guide,  and  Chaplain,  shall  constitute  a  Relief 
Committee,  under  the  direction  of  the  Master  Workman. 
Each  member  shall  be  subject  to  his  orders  in  attending  to 
the  sick  or  disabled  members,  subject,  on  failure,  to  a  fine 
of  fifty  cents. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

Section  i.  Each  Subordinate  Lodge  shall  elect,  at  their 
regular  annual  election,  two  representatives  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  serve  for  one  year. 

business  committee. 

Sec.  2.  The  Master  Workman  shall  appoint  a  Standing 
Business  Committee,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  correspond 
with  the  different  Lodges  and  members  out  of  employment, 
and  those  with  situations  to  be  filled,  and  report  immedi- 
ately the  fact  to  the  proper  persons,  at  the  intelligence 
office  at  headquarters.  They  shall  also  report  weekly  to 
the  Lodge  they  are  subject  to. 

ARTICLE  XVIL 

INSURANCE. 

Section  t.  There  shall  be  established,  when  the  Order 
numbers  one,  thousand  members,  an  insurance  office;  and 
policies  issued,  securing  at  the  death  of  the  member  insured, 
not  less  than  $500,  to  be  paid  to  his  lawful  heirs. 

ARTICLE  XVIIL 

Section  i.  When  there  are  six  Subordinate  Lodges 
established  in  any  State,  they  shall  call  a  meeting  of  two 
representatives  from  each  Subordinate  Lodge,  and  establish 
a  State  Grand  Lodge,  subject  only  to  the  National  or  Su- 
preme Lodge. 


64  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

ALTERATION. 

Section  i.  The  words  "white  male  person"  in  Article 
III,  Section  i,  of  this  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered, 
amended,  or  expunged,  but  shall  remain  unalterably  fixed 
as  specified. 

"  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i,  organized  under  the  foregoing 
Constitution,  constituted  itself  the  Provisional  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  vesting  in  an  Executive  Committee, 
consisting  of  J.  J.  Upchurch,  R.  Grieves,  and  P.  Linen,  full 
power  to  act  as  Provisional  Grand  Lodge  officers. 

organizing    grand    lodge    of    PENNSYLVANIA. 

"On  the  sixth  day  of  October,  1869,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  of  Pennsylvania 
was  organized  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  follow- 
ing Grand  Officers  duly  elected  and  installed:  J.  J.  Up- 
church,  Grand  Master  Workman;  O.  M.  Barnes,  Grand 
General  Foreman;  A.  Klock,  Grand  Overseer;  R.  Grieves, 
Grand  Secretary;  P.  Linen,  Grand  Treasurer;  D.  Ruling, 
Grand  Chaplain;  D.  H.  Bush,  Grand  Guide;  J.  Carronay, 
Grand  Sentinel;  P.  Oaster  and  A.  Oaster,  Grand  Trustees. 

"  At  this  meeting,  Bro.  J.  J.  Upchurch  presented  the  fol- 
lowing amendment  to  Article  XVII  (Insurance  Article), 
which  was  adopted  and  became  a  part  of  the  Constitution." 

INSURANCE  ARTICLE. 

Section  i.  Each  and  every  candidate  for  initiation  shall 
pay  to  the  Financier  the  sum  of  one  dollar  for*  insurance, 
and  the  sum  of  all  such  payments,  to  be  known  as  the  Insur- 
ance Fund,  shall  be  placed  by  each  individual  Subordinate 
Lodge,  in  bank  or  other  secure  place,  from  which  it  can  be 
drawn  at  sight,  when  called  for  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  the 
immediate  necessity  of  the  Subordinate  Lodge,  as  herein- 
after provided. 

Sec.  2.  The  highest  policy  of  insurance  guaranteed  by 
this  Constitution  shall  not  exceed  $2,000,  and  until  such 
time  as  the  above  sum  shall  have  been  subscribed  to,  at  the 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.         05 

rate  specified  in  Section  i,  the  issue  of  the  insurance  policy 
shall  be  equal  in  amount,  in  dollars,  to  the  actual  number 
of  members  in  the  Order. 

Sec.  3.  On  the  death  of  a  brother,  the  Relief  Committee, 
through  the  Trustees,  shall  draw  the  amount  of  insurance 
held  by  the  Subordinate  Lodge  of  which  the  deceased  has 
been  a  member,  and  after  having  defrayed  all  funeral  ex- 
penses, deliver  the  balance  to  his  family,  or  heirs;  provided, 
however,  that  the  Lodge  shall  be  assured  and  satisfied  that 
the  money  thus  placed  at  their  disposal  shall  be  judiciously 
used  by  and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  family  of  the  de- 
ceased; otherwise,  it  shall  be  held  in  trust  by  the  Lodge, 
and  delivered  in  such  sums  and  at  such  times  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  family  may  demand.  Should  it  so 
happen  that  the  death  of  two  or  more  brothers  occur  at  the 
same  time,  the  amount  of  insurance  fund  on  hand  shall  be 
equally  divided  between  the  families  or  heirs  of  each,  and 
as  soon  thereafter  as  provided  in  Section  5  of  this  Article, 
when  the  insurance  assessment  shall  be  collected,  the  bal- 
ance to  which  the  heirs  are  entitled  shall  immediately  be 
forwarded  to  the  respective  claimants. 

Sec.  4.  The  Recorder  of  the  Subordinate  Lodge  in  which 
a  death  may  happen,  shall  immediately  notify  the  Grand 
Recorder  of  the  fact,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  collect 
the  several  sums  of  Insurance  Fund  held  by  each  and  all  the 
other  Subordinate  Lodges,  and  forward  the  amount  to  the 
Recorder  of  the  Subordinate  Lodge  of  which  the  deceased 
brother  was  a  member,  and  said  Lodge  shall  see  that  the 
entire  sum  thus  placed  in  its  hands  shall  be  properly  and 
judiciously  applied  for  the  benefit  of  the  family  or  heirs  of 
the  deceased. 

Sec.  5.  To  replace  the  Insurance  Fund  drawn  on  the 
occasion  of  the  death  of  a  brother,  each  member  shall  pay 
to  the  Financier  of  his  respective  Lodge  the  sum  of  one 
dollar;  provided,  however,  that  the  number  of  members  in 
the  Order  does  not  exceed  two  thousand,  but  if  over  two 
thousand,  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  regular  stated  session, 
shall  designate  the  pro  rata  assessment,  which  shall  be  paid 
to  furnish  the  maximum  amount  of  insurance,  which  shall 
be  placed  as  provided  in  Section  i. 
5 


GG  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Sec.  6.  Any  member  refusing  or  failing  to  pay  the  insurance 
assessment  within  thirty  days  alter  having  been  duly  notified 
by  the  Financier,  shall  forfeit  his  membership  in  the  Order; 
and  any  Subordinate  Lodge  failing  to  forward  the  amount 
of  insurance  held  by  it  for  the  term  of  twenty  days,  after 
being  duly  notified  by  the  Recorder  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
shall  forfeit  its  Charter;  and  all  books,  papers,  and  other 
property,  shall  be  placed  in  the  possession  of  the  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman. 

Sec.  7.  The  Financier  of  each  Subordinate  Lodge  shall 
keep  a  record  of  all  business  relating  to  insurance,  in  a 
book  set  apart  for  that  purpose  alone. 

DISABILITY. 

Sec.  8.  A  member  fifty  years  of  age  or  upwards,  feeling 
incapable  of  further  pursuing  daily  manual  labor,  and  who 
can  exhibit  an  honorable  record  in  the  Order  for  ten  suc- 
cessive preceding  years,  desiring  to  enter  upon  a  trade  or 
business  more  suitable  to  his  declining  health  or  strength, 
may,  .upon  application  to  the  Lodge  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, obtain  half  the  amount  of  insurance  to  which  in  case  of 
death  his  family  or  heirs  would  be  entitled. 

Sec.  9.  When  the  insurance  contribution  shall  have 
reached  the  sum  of  not  less  than  $1,000,  any  member  whose 
record  is  of  good  standing  for  one  next  preceding  year, 
and  clear  of  all  charges  on  the  books,  rendered,  by  disease 
or  accident,  permanently  incapable  of  supporting  himself 
or  family  by  manual  labor,  and  wishing  to  enter  upon  busi- 
ness suitable  to  his  physical  condition,  may  receive  insurance 
in  the  sum  of  one-fourth  the  amount  then  on  hand;  and 
to  a  brother  afflicted  with  total  disability,  the  above  sum 
of  one-fourth  the  amount  on  hand,  shall  be  issued  by  in- 
stallments, at  such  time  and  in  such  sums  as  the  Lodge 
may  determine. 

Sec.  10.  a  brother  entitled  to  the  provisions  set  forth  in 
Sections  8  and  9,  shall  not  be  permitted  to  enter  upon  a 
business  that  may  have  a  tendency  to  bring  disrepute  or 
dishonor  on  himself  or  the  Order,  or  which  may  lead 
directly  to  favor  intemperance,  immorality,  or  vice.     And 


First  Constitution  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.         67 

no  member  shall  be  entitled  to  the  privileges  set  forth  in 
Section  9,  who  may,  by  disreputable  means,  reduce  himself 
to  a  condition  of  distress. 

Sec.  II.  When  an  aged  or  disabled  brother  shall  make 
application  for  insurance,  as  per  Sections  8  and  9,  the  Mas- 
ter Workman  shall  api^int  a  committee  of  five  who  shall 
thoroughly,  rigidly,  and  impartially,  investigate  the  character 
and  record  of  the  applicant,  the  kind  of  business  he  con- 
tem.plates  entering  upon,  and  his  qualifications  and  ability 
to  conduct  the  same  successfully;  and  in  rendering  a  report 
to  the  Lodge  thereon,  at  each  of  three  successive  or  stated 
meetings,  a  decision  shall  be  rendered,  subject,  however,  to 
the  approval  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  annual  or  semi-an- 
nual session.  A  majority  of  the  above  committee  shall  be 
chosen  from  the  list  of  elective  officers  of  the  Lodge. 

Sec.  12.  Any  member  of  the  committee  failing  to 
promptly  comply  with  the  requirements  of  Section  11,  or 
who  may  by  fraudulent  representations  tend  to  deceive  the 
Lodge,  thereby  producing  a  partial  or  unjust  decision,  shall 
be  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  Lodge  may  determine. 

Sec.  13.  When  it  is  definitely  decided  to  extend  to  any 
brother  the  privileges  set  forth  in  Sections  8  and  9,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Supreme  Lodge,  before  paying  any  money 
to  said  brother,  to  demand  and  receive  from  him  his  bond, 
duly  and  legally  drawn  up,  and  indorsed  by  two  responsible 
parties,  for  an  amount  equal  to  that  which  he  receives  from 
the  Insurance  Fund,  as  security  for  his  observance  of  com- 
pliance wdth,  and  maintenance  of,  all  and  every  requirement 
of  this  Constitution  at  all  times  and  under  any  and  all  cir- 
cumstances during  life. 

Sec  14.  a  brother  may  designate  and  have  recorded  in 
the  insurance  book,  the  person  or  persons  whom  he  may 
choose  to  recognize  as  his  legal  heir  or  heirs,  and  have  the 
same  changed  at  any  time  he  may  desire. 

Sec.  15.  Should  no  such  designation  and  record  be  made 
by  a  brother,  the  Supreme  Lodge  shall,  at  its  discretion,  se- 
lect one  or  more,  or  divide  in  equal  shares,  among  the  fol- 
lowing relatives  of  the  deceased:  wife,  children,  father, 
mother,  sister,  and  brother. 


68  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Sec.  1 6.  When  no  heir  shall  have  been  designated,  ac- 
cording to  Section  14,  or  the  Lodge  knows  of  no  legal  heir 
of  the  deceased  brother,  the  amount  of  insurance  in  the 
hands  of  each  Subordinate  Lodge  shall  thereafter  be  known 
as  the  Relief  Fund,  to  be  used  in  affording  relief  to  brothers 
out  of  employment,  or  traveling  in  search  of  the  same,  or 
other  assistance  to  a  brother  in  distress,  in  which  event  the 
Insurance  Fund  shall  again  be  replenished  as  provided  in 
Section  5. 

Sec.  17.  A  member  who  has  not  received  the  degree  of 
"  Master  Workman,"  shall  not  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  of 
insurance  as  set  forth  in  Sections  8  and  9. 

CREDIT    FOR    PLAN    OF    ORGANIZATION. 

"  The  foregoing  establishes,  beyond  a  question,  the  fact 
that  to  Bro.  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Past  Supreme  Master  Work- 
man, is  due  the  credit  of  first  conceiving  the  plan  or  organ- 
ization of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.;  and  also  formulating  a  Ritual, 
Constitution,  and  Laws  for  its  use  and  government. 

M.  W.  Sackett,  Supreme  Recorder.'' 

I  here  wish  to  return  my  heart-felt  gratitude  to  Samuel  B. 
Myers,  of  No.  3;  W.  A.  Dungan,  and  J.  M.  McNair,  of  No  i; 
and  others,  for  their  kind  interest  taken  in  my  behalf  in  this 
controversy. 

ORIGINAL    WORKING    TOOLS    AND    THEIR    SIGNIFICANCE. 

The  original  working  tools  of  the  Order  were,  in  the  sec- 
ond degree,  the  square  and  compass,  and  explained  thus: — 

"This  beautiful  instrument  is  called  a  square,  two  of  its 
sides  being  at  right  angles,  which  is  emblematic  of  our  in- 
tegrity, and  teaches  us  to  walk  uprightly  before  God  and 
square  our  actions  with  all  mankind,  especially  with  a 
brother  Workman. 

"  These,  my  brother,  are  compasses.  They  teach  us  this 
lesson:  that  we  should  never  overreach  the  bounds  of  propri- 
ety, and  live  within  the  circle  of  brotherly  kindness." 

These  tools  formed  the  badsre  of  the  Master  Workman. 


^ 

> .-  3 


SECOND  DEGREE-ORIGINAL  REGALIA.     (See  Rage  6S.) 


Original  Working  Tools.  71 

The  working  tools  of  the  third  degree  were  the  plumb 
and  trowel. 

The  plumb  was  used  in  the  erection  of  perpendicular  walls, 
and  was  worn  as  a  badge  by  the  Overseer,  and  reminded 
us  that  we  should  plumb  our  actions  with  all  mankind. 

The  trowel  was  used  to  spread  cement  in  the  erection  of 
the  walls,  but  we  used  it  for  the  more  noble  purpose  of 
spreading  the  cement  of  brotherly  kindness.  It  was  worn 
as  a  badge  by  the  Chief  Foreman. 

In  the  fourth  degree,  the  protractor  and  triangles  were 
used  as  the  working  tools,  and  were  explained  thus: — 

"  The  working  tools  of  this  degree  are  the  protractor  and 
triangles.  The  former  represents  the  earth's  circumference, 
it  being  divided  into  three  hundred  and  sixty  equal  parts, 
called  degrees,  and  again  subdivided  into  a  like  number  of 
parts,  called  minutes  and  seconds.  It  also  alludes  to  the 
human  family  having  been  dispersed  over  the  whole  face  of 
the  earth,  for  the  purpose  of  extracting  the  principles  of 
science  from  the  great  arcana  of  nature  and  giving  them 
practical  form  of  art. 

"The  triangle  of  sixty  degrees  is  the  one-sixth  of  the 
earth's  circumference,  and  may  be  used  to  divide  the  circle 
into  six,  twelve,  twenty-four,  or  forty-eight  equal  parts,  with- 
out the  aid  of  any  other  instruments.  The  triangle  of 
twenty-five  degrees  is  the  one-eighth  of  the  earth's  circum- 
ference, and  may  be  used  separately,  or  in  connection  with 
other  triangles  to  divide  the  circle  into  four,  eight,  sixteen, 
or  thirty-two  equal  parts. 

"  These  being  the  most  useful  instruments  known  to  the 
scientific  mechanic,  with  them  he  is  enabled  to  reduce  to 
form  any  mechanical  idea,  machine,  or  architectural  design, 
without  the  aid  of  any  other  instrument." 

ADVANCED   IDEAS. 

I  will  here  insert  the  report  of  a  special  committee,  to 
show  that  my  ideas  were  rather  in  advance  of  the  times: — 


Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 


"Chicago,  Illinois,  March  9,  1875 
"  Report  of  Committee  on  Ritual,  which    was    received 
and  placed  on  file. 

^'- To  the  Siip?-evie  Lodge,  Ancie?it   Order  of   United  Work- 
me7i  — 

"  Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  offer  of 
Past  Grand  Master  Workman  J.  J.  Upchurch,  to  furnish 
this  Supreme  Lodge  with  a  draft  of  a  Ritual  of  three 
degrees,  would  respectfully  report:  That  after  mature  delib- 
eration we  have  come  to  the  firm  conclusion  that  we  are 
neither  ready  nor  able  to  institute  and  put  into  operation  a 
new  or  higher  class  of  degrees.  While  your  committee 
venerates  and  loves  good  Brother  Upchurch,  and  would  speak 
well  of  the  higher  degrees  (having  had  them  conferred 
upon  them),  still  we  are  compelled  to  recommend  that  this 
Supreme  Lodge,  for  the  present,  do  not  burthen  herself  with 
this  extra  expense,  as  we  have  a  new  Ritual  to  be  translated 
into  the  German  language,  and  the  whole  printed  in  both  the 
German  and  English  languages. 

J.  M.  McNair,  Comifiittee." 

RETURNS     HOME HIS  FAMILY. 

On  reaching  home,  I  went  to  work  with  renewed  energy 
to  try  and  regain  position.  My  wife  is  still  living.  W^e  have 
had  born  to  us  fifteen  children,  eleven  boys  and  four  girls; 
the  youngest  is  fifteen  years  of  age.  Six  of  them  are  now 
living,  being  all  boys,  and  four  of  them  are  still  with  us. 
In  1883,  I  bought  of  A.  W.  Johnson,  of  this  place,  a  half 
interest  in  store  building  and  stock  of  general  merchandise, 
which  cost  me  two  thousand  eight  hundred  dollars;  the 
other  interest  was  owned  by  W.  H,  Davis,  of  this  place. 
We  carried  on  the  business  for  eighteen  months,  when 
money  matters  became  tight  and  I  sold  out  my  interest  in 
the  stock  of  goods  to  J.  H.  Hamel,  holding  onto  the  build- 
ing. Owing  to  the  credit  system,  many  bad  debts  were 
made,   which    will   in    all    probability    never   be    collected. 


FOURTH  DEGREE— CRK 


^ce  Page  71.) 


Visits  and  Presentation.  75 

Through  this  erroneous  business  system,  nothing  was  made. 
I  concluded  to  become  a  retired  merchant.  Not  having 
business  to  keep  myself  and  boys  employed,  I  added  agri- 
cultural implements  to  my  business,  but  owing  to  the 
stringency  of  the  times,  failure  of  crops,  etc.,  I  have  made 
nothing  yet  above  a  bare  living. 

ENGAGES  IN  BUSINESS. 

In  1885  I  bought  a  patent  right  for  six  counties,  on  a 
new  harrow,  and  undertook  to  manufacture  them.  Thus 
far  I  have  not  got  my  money  out  of  them,  but  I  have  four- 
teen years  longer  to  try  my  luck. 

VISITS  AND  PRESENTATION. 

In  April,  1885,  I  was  invited  to  visit  a  Lodge  in  Potosi, 
Missouri,  which  I  did,  and  addressed  a  fine  audience  in  the 
Masonic  Temple.  There  was  great  interest  taken  in  the 
proceedings,  and  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  much  good  will 
result  from  it. 

In  May,  I  was  surprised,  on  visiting  Founders  Lodge,  No. 
257,  of  this  place,  whose  name  was  given  it  in  honor  of 
myself,  who  got  up  the  Lodge,  by  the  presentation  of  a 
magnificent  shaving  mug  and  razor,  with  the  emblems  of  the 
Order  artistically  arranged  upon  them.  This  presentation 
was  made  by  Dr.  J.  T.  Coffee  in  a  splendid  address  on 
behalf  of  the  members  of  the  Lodge,  to  which  I  replied, 
thanking  them  earnesdy  for  this  token  of  their  appreciation 
of  my  labors  in  the  interest  of  my  fellow- men.  The  second 
meeting  night  after  the  above,  I  presented  to  the  ^Founders 
Lodge  my  photograph  of  a  suitable  size  to  hang  in  the  Lodge 
room. 

INVITATION   TO    VISIT    CALIFORNIA. 

The  following  telegram  was  received  at  Cuba,  Missouri, 
April  10,  1885: — 


76  Life  of  Father   Qpchurch. 

"  Oakland,  Cal,  April  9,  1885. 
"  To  J.  J.  Upchurch,  P.  S.  M   JV.,  Steelville,  Mo:— 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  California  has  by  resolution 
authorized  our  Representative  to  invite  you  to  come  to  Cal- 
ifornia at  our  expense.  Pack  your  trunk  now  and  get 
ready,  as  we  propose  to  bring  you  back  with  us  from  Des 
Moines  next  June.  William  H.  Jordan." 

This  telegram  was  so  unexpected  I  did  not  know  how  to 
answer  it.  I,  however,  wrote  to.  Brother  Jordan  that  I  did 
not  see  how  I  could  leave  my  business,  but  should  I  be 
able  to  do  so,  I  would  accept  the  invitation  and  try  to  com- 
ply with  their  wishes.  My  family  were  opposed  to  my  going 
for  several  reasons: — 

Firsf,  I  was  not  a  public  speaker,  and  in  all  probability 
the  members  in  California  would  be  sadly  disappointed,  and 
1  would  create  an  unfavorable  impression  upon  their  minds. 

Second/)',  That  to  go  would  be  to  neglect  my  business, 
which  was  yielding  but  a  mere  living  with  all  my  atten- 
tion. About  ten  days  later,  my  son  agreed  to  take  charge 
of  my  business  and  do  the  best  he  could.  Then  it  was 
decided  that  I  should  accept  the  invitation,  and  visit  the 
Pacific  Coast. 

accepts  the  invitation. 

I  then  wrote   Brother   Jordan  that    I  would   be  ready  to 
return  with  him  from  the  Supreme  Lodge  Session. 
The  following  letter  was  received: — 

Oakland,  Cal.,  May  23,  1885. 
"  My  Dear  Brother  Upchurch:  The  brethren  here 
are  making  extensive  preparations  for  your  coming,  and  pro- 
pose to  give  you  such  a  reception  as  has  seldom  been 
accorded  any  citizen.  A  change  has  been  thought  advisa- 
ble in  the  date  of  your  arrival  here,  placing  it  on  the  26th 
instead  of  the  17th,  as  was  first  proposed.     So  we  shall  not 


Starts  For  California.  77 

be  able  to  leave  the  East  until  about  the  eighth  or  tenth 
day  after  the  Supreme  Lodge  adjourns.  I  mention  this  to 
you  so  that  if  you  wish  to  return  home  after  the  adjourn- 
ment you  can  do  so,  and  we  will  meet  you  at  any  point 
on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island  Road  you  may 
j)refer,  or  at  the  Missouri  River.  The  exact  date,  however, 
we  can  arrange  when  we  meet  at  Des  Moines.  The  only 
important  thing  is  to  arrange  that  we  can  come  on  together, 
and  yet  not  arrive  here  before  the  26th  of  June.  AH  the 
details  we  will  talk  over  when  we  meet  at  Des  Moines  at  the 
Supreme  Lodge. 

"  All  loyal  Workmen  in  California  (and  we  have  none 
other)  are  anxiously  looking  forward  to  your  coming.  With 
sincere  assurances  of  affection  and  esteem  for  you, 

"I  am  yours  in  the  bands  of  C,  H.,  and  P., 

William  H.  Jordan. 

visits  the  supreme  lodge  at  des  motnes,  and  meets 
past  grand  master  workman  wm.  h.  jordan. 

June  9  I  started  for  Des  Moines  to  attend  the  session 
of  the  Supreme  Lodge.  Here  I  met  Bro-  W.  H.  Jordan, 
who  informed  me  that  our  reception  in  San  Francisco  had 
been  postponed  from  the  17th  to  the  26th,  and  that  we 
should  not  reach  there  before  the  time  appointed,  and  that 
I  could  remain  in  Des  Moines  or  return  home.  I  chose 
the  latter.  On  the  17th  I  started  for  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa, 
and  was  joined  by  Brother  Jordan  from  New  York  on  the 
i8th. 

STARTS     FOR     CALIFORNIA. 

At  twelve  o'clock  noon  we  took  the  Union  Pacific  Rail- 
road for  San  Francisco;  saw^  some  fine  country,  very  pro- 
ductive, in  Nebraska.  At  five  o'clock  took  dinner  at  Grand 
Island.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  we  reached  La  Salle, 
in  Colorado,  five  hundred  twenty-two  and  one-half  miles 
from  Omaha.     I  arose  early  and  went  out  on  the  platform 


78  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

of  our  car,  but  a  young  man  was  there  before  me.  I  asked 
what  it  was  so  white  on  the  mountain.  He  laughed,  and 
replied  that  it  was  snow.  I  did  not  anticipate  seeing  snow 
until  I  had  passed  Denver.  I  stated  that  I  would  like  to 
take  a  walk  to  it.  He  asked  me  how  far  I  supposed  it  was. 
I  replied,  About  three  miles.  He  then  informed  me  that  it 
was  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  off,  which  astonished  me  more 
than  ever. 

ARRIVES  AT    DENVER. 

We  reached  Denver  at  five  minutes  past  seven  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  and  were  met  at  the  depot  by  a  committee,  and  taken 
to  the  Windsor  House.  In  the  afternoon  we  took  a  carriage 
and  were  driven  over  the  city.  It  is  a  splendid  city,  many 
very  expensive  buildings,  lovely  drives,  and  from  the  high 
ground  in  the  west  you  have  a  view  of  the  city.  There  is 
an  immense  business  transacted  here.  We  drove  out  to  the 
water-works,  which  are  first-class  in  every  particular.  We 
then  drove  out  to  the  trout  hatchery  establishment;  there 
we  saw  millions  of  young  fish,  and  some  that  would  weigh 
from  three  to  four  pounds,  all  so  gentle  that  the  keeper 
could  raise  them  out  of  the  water  with  his  hands.  Then  we 
visited  the  Court  House,  which  is  a  splendid  building, 
everything  arranged  in  magnificent  order.  From  its  dome 
we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  city  and  the  surrounding  country. 
Pike's  Peak  was  pointed  out  to  us,  seventy-five  miles  away. 
I  supposed  it  nearly  twenty  miles  off.  We  descended  from 
the  Court  House,  and  drove  to  the  Capitol  Square,  which  is 
a  lovely  spot,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  the  building  to  be 
erected  on  it  will  be  in  keeping  with  the  balance  of  the 
city. 

HONORS  EXTENDED  TO  THEM. 

In  the  evening,  the  Select  Knights  of  No.  7,  in  full  uni- 
form, assembled  at  the  Windsor  House,  and  escorted  us  to 


Welcome  By  G.  M.  W.  Louis  Aufinger.         79 


the  First  Congregational  Church,  where  a  hearty  welcome 
was  extended  to  me  as  the  father  and  founder  of  the  Order, 
and  to  the  Supreme  Overseer  W.  H.  Jordan,  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman  of  California.  A  large  audience  had  as- 
sembled at  the  church  before  the  procession  arrived,  and 
when  the  officers  of  the  Order  and  their  escorts  marched 
into  the  church  it  was  nearly  filled  with  people,  there  being 
just  about  seats  enough  to  accommodate  the  Select  Knights. 
Grand  Master  Louis  Aufinger  called  the  great  assemblage 
to  order,  and  invited  all  present  to  join  in  singing  the  open- 
ing ode.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  C.  J.  Adams,  of  All 
Saints'  Church,  North  Denver.     A  fine  quartette  was  then 

sung. 

Grand  Master  Louis  Aufinger  then  -delivered  the-address 

of  w^elcome  as  follows: — 

welcome  by  grand  master  workman   LOUIS  AUFINGER. 

"  Father  Upchurch,  Brother  Jordan,  Brothers  of 
THE  Order,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  In  every  family  there 
are  events  which  are  celebrated  by  festivities,  where  joy  and 
happiness  are  supreme.  Is  there  anything  more  joyful  than 
where  children  meet  their  father,  especially  if  that  father  is 
advanced  in  years,  and  has  been  for  a  long  time  separated 
from  them  ?  Is  it  not,  then,  an  occasion  of  great  joy,  this  oc- 
casion of  our  having  the  privilege  of  welcoming  our  venerable 
father  who  sixteen  years  ago  brought  into  existence  our  be- 
loved Order,  which  has  grown  to  such  proportions,  and  has 
accomplished  so  much  for  the  cause  of  humanity?  And  I 
deem  it  no  less  a  privilege  to  welcome  our  distinguished 
guest  from  California,  who  has  done  so  much  for  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  the  Order.  He  has  always  proved  a  friend 
to  our  jurisdiction.  And  now,  my  dear  brother,  in  behalf 
of  the  jurisdiction  of  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona, 
and  in  behalf  of  the  Denver  Lodges  and  Legions,  I  welcome 
you  to  our  beautiful  city.  Our  good  wishes  and  prayers  are 
for  you,  that  prosperity,  health,  and  happiness  will  follow 


80  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

you  wherever  you  may  go.  I  now  have  the  honor  and 
pleasure  of  introducing  the  founder  of  our  Order,  Father 
J.  J.  Upchurch." 

HIS    RESPONSE. 

I  then  stepped  forward  and  addressed  the  audience.  I 
assured  them  that  I  could  not  do  justice  to  this  occasion  or 
express  to  them  my  gratitude  and  surprise  at  that  great 
gathering,  and  that  magnificent  reception.     I  replied: — 

"I  have  been  pleased  and  surprised  at  what  I  have  seen 
in  your  beautiful  mountain  city.  I  have  been  very  much 
surprised  to  see  such  a  beautiful  city,  and  am  gratified  at 
the  good  fortune  that  has  brought  me  here.  I  never  antici- 
pated meeting  you  here,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  I  could 
ever  have  had  this  pleasure  had  it  not  been  for  our  good 
Brother  Jordan,  here,  and  the  members  of  his  Jurisdiction, 
who  took  it  into  their  heads  that  I  should  visit  California. 
But  I  am  very  glad  to  be  here,  and  I  bid  you  Godspeed  in 
your  grand  and  noble  work.  You  have  five  Lodges  here. 
Look  at  their  faces — you  can  see  intelligence  and  upright- 
ness. It  does  my  heart  good  to  know  that  the  work  of  our 
Order  has  been  of  such  permanent  advantage  in  this  Juris- 
diction. I  find  that  the  Jurisdiction  of  Colorado,  New 
Mexico,  and  Arizona  pay  fewer  assessments  than  any  other 
Jurisdiction.  I  can  say  of  a  truth,  that  there  is  not  another 
Order  in  existence  that  is  doing  the  amount  of  good  that 
the  Workmen  are  doing.  I  am  glad  that  you  are  doing  so 
much  here  for  the  relief  of  the  people,  and  I  trust  that  you 
will  go  on  in  the  good  work  with  renewed  energy.  When 
I  look  at  the  present  and  let  my  mind  run  back  seventeen 
years,  my  heart  is  filled  with  gratitude  that  I  should  have 
been  chosen  to  present  those  glorious  truths  to  the  world. 
I  believe  that  our  Order  will  continue  to  grow  and  expand 
until  every  good  man  and  woman  will  be  brought  under  its 
beneficial  influence.  I  am  pleased  to  see  so  many  ladies 
here.  This  Order  was  gotten  up  for  their  benefit  and  that 
of  their  children;  so  I  trust  that  you  will  become  more 
deeply  interested  in  our  noble  work.  I  will  retire,  after 
thanking  you  for  your  patient  attention." 


William  H.  Jordan's  Address.  81 


PAST    GRAND     MASTER     WORKMAN     WM.     H.     JORDAN  S      AD- 
DRESS. 

After  music,  Bro.  William  H.  Jordan  was  introduced. 
He  gave  a  very  pleasing  and  logical  address,  which  at  times 
caused  an  outburst  of  merriment ;  at  other  times  the  audi- 
ence relapsed  into  deep  thought,  showing  that  the  list- 
eners were  entirely  carried  away  with  his  eloquence.  He 
further  said: — 

"  We  come  here  to-night  with  two  objects :  first,  to  pay 
our  respects  to  that  old  hero.  Father  Upchurch,  out  of 
whose  brain  has  come  the  aid  which  gave  life  to  our  Order. 
There  is  some  satisfaction  in  looking  into  his  face,  and  to 
know  that  we  have  the  man  with  us  who  has  done  so  much 
for  us  and  for  humanity  generally.  Furthermore,  we  are 
not  only  here  to  honor  the  man  who  founded  the  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  but  the  man  who  called  into  life  those 
principles  from  w^hich  other  great  Orders  have  arisen.  The 
Knights  of  Honor,  the  American  Legion  of  Honor,  and 
many  other  benevolent  organizations,  all  sprang  into  ex- 
istence out  of  the  Order  of  United  Workmen. 

"Father  Upchurch  may  well  be  called  a  hero.  Not  one 
who  has  come  to  us-  stained  with  the  blood  of  battle-fields; 
not  one  who  has  brought  privation,  sorrow,  and  suffering  to  his 
fellow-man,  but  one  whose  name  will  be  honored  and  valued 
as  one  who  has  assuaged  sorrow  and  suffering,  and  brought 
joy  and  peace  to  thousands  of  his  fellow-beings.  Secondly, 
We  honor  the  institution  of  which  he  became  the  founder. 
We  know  how  he  founded  them  in  that  little  town  of  Mead- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1868,  where  for  nine  long  months  the 
organization  only  numbered  twenty  souls.  From  that  small 
beginning  has  suddenly  sprung  into  existence  an  organiza- 
tion which  is  rapidly  spreading  itself  all  over  the  continent, 
and  which  now  numbers  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
two  thousand  souls. 

"  Brethren,  we  love  and  honor  that  institution  which  was 
thus  founded,  and  has  grown  to  such  proportions,  and  we 
may  well  honor  it  when  we  think  that  under  this  beneficiary 
6 


82  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

system,  since  the  Order  was  founded,  there  has  been  paid 
out  in  benefits  the  sum  of  thirteen  miUion  five  hundred 
thousand  dollarS;  and  when  we  find  that  this  year  more  than 
two  hundred  and  seventy-three  thousand  dollars  will  be 
paid  out  to  other  beneficiaries.  Brethren,  this  is  a  wonder- 
ful work,  and  it  has  cost  us  individually  so  little,  it  is  now  a 
dollar  and. then  a  dollar,  yet  look  at  the  enormous  sum  paid 
out.  Why,  in  California,  where  we  use  gold  and  silver 
money  as  a  rule,  this  amount  of  thirteen  million  five  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars,  represents  as  much  gold  and  silver 
as  would  take  twenty-one  teams  to  haul  through  the  streets 
of  Denver.  I  say  it  is  a  wonderful  thing  to  be  done  by  an 
institution  of  this  character,  and  yet  no  man  feels  the  bur- 
den. \Great  applause?^  And  where  has  the  money  gone.^* 
Not  into  the  rum-shops,  nor  out  on  the  race-courses,  to  be 
squandered,  but  it  is  constantly  going  into  the  laps  of  weep- 
ing widows  and  sorrowing  orphans." 

Brother  Jordan  then  described  the  wonderful  Bartholdi 
Statue,  as  it  was  soon  to  stand  in  the  New  York  harbor  with 
its  electric  light  held  three  hundred  feet  in  mid-air,  and 
compared  it  with  gas-lights  and  light-houses  in  other  parts 
of  New  York  Harbor.  So  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  like  the  electric  light  of  the  nmeteenth  cent- 
ury, held  aloft  at  a  proud  elevation,  towered  above  all 
other  benevolent  organizations.     He  continued:— - 

"This  institution  not  only  visits  the  sick,  but  it  throws 
tw^o  thousand  dollars  into  the  laps  of  every  widow  and 
orphan.  It  is  the  electric  light  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
and  we  love  the  man  cut  of  whose  brain  this  Order  has 
come.  But  why,  someone  may  ask,  call  this  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen  ?  Why  call  it  ncient  ?  Our 
founder  is  advanced  in  years,  but  we  don't  call  him  '  an- 
cient.' There  were  many  men  born  before  him  who  are 
not  ancient,  and  yet  this  child  of  the  nineteenth  century 
is  called  '  ancient '  because  the  principles  that  it  has  taken 
hold  of  and  has  made  practicable,  are  as  old  as  the  hills  of 
God." 


William  H.  Jordan's  Address.  83 

The  speaker  compared  the  Order  with  the  great  trees  of 
Cahtbrnia: — 

"  They  were  there  at  the  present  size,  nearly,  when  \Vash- 
ington  crossed  the  Delaware ;  they  were  standing  there  when 
Joan  of  Arc  was  giving  up  her  life  for  others  at  the  fagots 
and  the  stake ;  they  were  standing  there  w^hen  Abraham 
watched  his  flocks  and  herds  on  the  hill-sides ;  they  have 
been  there  since  the  earliest  records  we  have  of  the  world's 
being ;  there  they  stand,  but  they  are  not  as  old  as  the 
mountain-side  on  which  they  stand,  or  the  solid  earth  out  of 
which  they  grow.  And  they  are  young  indeed  compared 
with  the  principles  whicli  underlie  the  present  Order  of 
United  Workmen."     \Great  applause?^ 

The  speaker  then  related  the  story  of  a  Yankee,  who 
visited  Europe: — 

"The  Yankee  was  very  patriotic  and  was  always  exclaim- 
ing, '  Hurrah  for  America! '  They  showed  him  the  lochs 
of  Scotland,  small,  smooth,  and  beautiful  sheets  of  water;  he 
exclaimed:  'Why!  they  are  not  half  equal  to  Lake  Champlain. 
Hurrah  for  America! '  They  showed  him  the  great  water-fall 
of  Ireland,  and  he  said:  'That  is  nothing;  look  at  the  great 
Niagara.  Hurrah  for  America!'  They  showed  him  the 
wonders  of  Rome,  and  mentioned  their  great  age.  They 
showed  him  Pompey's  Statue  and  the  ampitheater,  and  he 
said:  '  Look  at  the  mounds  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
Hurrah  for  America! '  Finally  they  touched  upon  a  weak- 
ness common  to  too  many  of  our  countrymen,  and  gave  him 
too  much  rum,  and  he  went  to  sleep  in  the  Catacombs  of 
Rome.  He  awoke  amid  bones  and  skulls  and  asked  where 
he  was,  and  they  replied,  '  You  are  dead.'  '  No,'  said  he,  '  I 
ain't.  This  is  the  resurrection  and  I  am  the  first  man  on 
deck.  Hurrah  for  America!'  \_Greai  applause.']  So  will 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  be  on  deck  at  the 
resurrection." 

Appropriate  remarks  were  then  made  by  T.  J.  Malt  and 
others,  after  which  the  exercises  closed.     Brother  Jordan, 


84  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

myself,  and  other  members  and  their  ladies,  repaired  to  the 
residence  of  Grand  Master  Workman  Louis  Aufinger,  where 
a  bounteous  repast  was  spread,  which  was  partaken  of  with 
pleasure,  and  was  enjoyed  by  all  present.  At  a  late  hour 
we  returned  to  the  Windsor. 

INVITATION  TO  VISIT  VALLEY  LODGE,  SALT  LAKE. 

Before  leaving  home  I  received  the  following  communica- 
tion:— 

"Valley  Lodge,  No.  12,  A.  O.  U.  W.  ) 
''Salt  Lake  City,  May  21,  1885.  j 
"J.  J.  Upchurch,  Esq. — Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  In 
reading  the  Pacific  States  Watchman^  published  in  San 
Francisco,  that  you  have  concluded  to  visit  the  Pacific 
States,  calling  at  Salt  Lake  on  the  way,  we  hereby  cordially 
invite  you  to  stay  in  our  little  town  and  honor  us  with  a 
visit.  We  shall  feel  it  a  pleasure  to  welcome  the  founder  of 
our  noble  Order  to  the  city  of  the  Saints;  and  if  you  can 
notify  us  of  the  time,  we  will  call  a  special  meeting  of  the 
brethren  in  this  Lodge  and  vicinity. 

"Yours  very  truly,  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

S.  B.  Phillips,  M.  TV., 
S.  W.  Dark,  Recorder:' 

his  reply. 

I  replied  that,  if  it  was  possible,  I  would  call  on  their 
city,  going  out  or  on  my  return  home.  I  handed  this  letter 
to  Brother  Jordan  at  Omaha.  He  stated  that  we  had  only 
two  days  to  spare,  and  that  one  of  them  had  been  promised 
to  Denver,  and  that  Brother  Kinsley  requested  that  the 
other  be  given  to  Ogden.  But  before  leaving  Denver,  it 
was  found  that  there  was  a  part  of  a  day  (Sunday)  to  be 
disposed  of.  A  telegram  was  forwarded  to  the  effect  that 
we  would  stop  at  Salt  Lake  City  on  Sunday,  requesting  that 
an  informal  meeting  be  called  for  Sunday  night. 


Invitation  to  Visit  Canyon  City,  Colo.         85 

The  following  communication  had  been  received  by 
Bro.  Louis  Aufinger,  and  handed  to  Bro.  W.  H.  Jordan, 
before  leaving  Denver: — 

invitation  to  visit  canyon  city,  COLORADO. 

"  Select  Knights,  A.  O.    U.    IV., 
"Headquarters  Colorado  Legion,  No.  i. 
''Canyon  City,  Col.,  June  i6,  1885, 
"  Louis  Aufinger — Dear  Sir  and  Comrade:  Colorado 
Legion,   No.   i,  extends  to   Comrade  Father  Upchurch,  a 
hearty  invitation  to  stop  over  and  visit  our  Legion,  providmg 
he  comes  this  way,  trusting  you  will  do  what  you  can  to  in- 
duce him  to  stay. 

"I  am  yours  in  C,  H.  and  P.,  and  E.,  I.,  and  U., 
James  Remington,  Recorder?' 

"Royal  Gorge  Lodge,  No.  7,  A.  O.  U.  W.  ) 
"  Canyon  City,  Col,  June  17,  1885.      J 

"  Louis  Aufinger,  Grand  Master  Workman — Dear  Sir 
and  Brother:  By  request  of  our  Lodge  and  Master  Workman, 
I  write  you,  asking  information  in  regard  to  the  route  that 
Father  Upchurch  and  Brother  Jordan  will  take  on  leaving 
Denver  for  California;  also  when  they  will  leave.  It  is  the 
wish  of  No.  7  that  they  stop  off  here  for  one  night,  if  not 
longer,  and  deliver  a  lecture  on  '  Our  Order '  and  its  bene- 
fits. We  are  all  very  anxious  to  see  them  and  have  them 
speak;  if  it  is  possible  for  them  to  stop  over,  it  will  give  us 
great  pleasure,  and  I  think  it  will  be  a  great  benefit  to  our 
Lodge  and  the  members.  If  you  succeed  in  gaining  their 
consent  to  stay  over,  wire  me  at  my  expense.  If  they  can- 
not stop,  wire  me  when  they  wull  leave  Denver,  if  they  go 
via  the  Denver  and  Rio  Grande,  as  we  wish  to  meet  them 
at  the  depot,  anyway. 

'•  Hoping  they  will  give  us  the  pleasure  of  their  presence 
for  a  day  or  so,  I  will  close,  hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon. 
"Yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

Ed.  Miner,  Recorder'^ 


86  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"  Select-  Knights,  A.  O.  U.  W.  \ 
"  Hdadquarters  of  Colorado  Lzgion,  No.  i.  V 
"Canyon  City,  Col.,  June  i8,  1885.  j 
"L.  Aufinger,  Esq.,  Grand  Master — Dear  Sir  and 
Brother:  At  our  last  meeting  of  the  Lodge,  we  appointed  a 
committee  to  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  for  the 
entertainment  of  Father  Upchurch  and  Brother  Jordan,  and 
to  extend  to  them,  through  you,  a  hearty  invitation  to  visit 
our  city  and  our  Brothers  and  Comrades  here;  and  by  re- 
quest of  said  committee  I  write  you  to  know  if  they  will 
accept  the  same,  and  have  Brother  Jordan  deliver  an  ad- 
dress here.  We  have  made  all  the  necessary  arrangements 
for  their  entertainment,  and  it  is  our  wish  and  desire  that 
they  visit  us.  Please  answer  by  wire  as  soon  as  possible  if 
they  will  be  here,  and  if  they  will  take  the  Denver  &  Rio 
Grande  route  to  California,  and  not  stop  here,  we  will  meet 
them  at  the  depot.  I  hope  you  can  prevail  on  them  to  visit 
us,  as  I  think  it  will  be  a  great  benefit  to  our  Order  here  if 
they  will  come,  and  if  they  do  not,  it  will  be  a  sad  disap- 
pointment to  us  all.  Hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon,  and 
that  we  may  all  have  a  chance  to  grasp  the  hand  of  our 
noble  benefactor  and  father  of  our  Order, 
"  I  am  respectfully  yours, 

J.  E.  Ediler, 
Lodge  Deputy  Royal  Gorge^  No.  7. 

"And  in  behalf  of  committee  as  follows: — 

"E.  Shiston,  S.  S.  Nichols,  Past  Master  Workman;  D. 
D.  Lewis,  Past  Master  Workman;  George  Wilkens,  H.  L. 
Smith,  Past  Master  W^orkman;   Thos  Hunter. 

Per  J.  E.  Ediler, 
Recorder  Colorado  Legio?i,  No.  i. 

ON    THE  WAY. 

June  20,  we  left  Denver,  via  the  Denver  &  Rio  Grande 
route,  for  Salt  Lake  City,  at  forty  minutes  after  seven  o'clock, 
A.  M.  I  saw  some  fine  country,  very  romantic;  passed  a 
beautiful  little  lake  with  many  skiffs  riding  upon  its  blue  wa- 


On  the  Way.  87 

ters,  to  invite  the  pleasure-seekers  to  avail  themselves  of  an 
opportunity  that  would  probably  never  present  itself  again. 
Passed  Colorado  :rprings.  It  has  some  fine  buildings,  and 
its  very  picturesque  lakes,  like  the  Deity,  had  an  eye  to  the 
wants  of  pleasure  combined  with  romance.  Six  miles  dis- 
tant, Pike's  Peak  showed  its  lofty  summit,  towering  high 
above  its  sister  mountains. 

South  Pueblo  is  quite  a  city,  and  several  iron  works  are 
located  here,  which  manufacture  a  great  deal,  of  various 
kinds  and  shapes.  It  is  said  to  be  the  hottest  place  in  all 
that  section  of  country,  lying,  as  it  does,  in  a  deep  valley. 
Here  quite  a  number  of  Workmen  had  assembled  to  bid  us 
welcome,  and,  if  possible,  persuade  us  to  remain  overnight 
with  them,  which  we  could  not  do,  owing  to  our  limited 
time.  Here  dinner  was  prepared  for  us,  and  we  were  con- 
ducted to  the  dining-room  in  the  midst  of  a  goodly  number 
of  Workmen,  who  did  ample  justice  in  putting  away  the 
many  good  things  prepared  for  the  occasion. 

We  again  boarded  the  train,  and  at  Canyon  City  a  large 
number  of  Select  Knights  and  Workmen  were  in  waiting  to 
receive  us,  having  been  misinformed  by  a  blundering 
operator  that  we  would  stop  overnight  with  them.  When 
they  were  informed  as  to  the  mistake  they  seemed  to  be 
much  disappointed,  for  they  had  everything  already  arranged 
to  give  us  a  grand  reception,  including  a  banquet;  and  I 
must  say  that  I  never  disappointed  any  people  that  I  re- 
gretted so  much  as  I  did  on  this  occasion;  but  it  had  to  be 
done.  At  Hot  Springs  we  were  met  by  twenty-five  Broth- 
ers, anxious  to  have  us  stop  over.  The  scenery  all  the  way 
up  the  mountain  was  indeed  sublime.  On  this  route  we 
pass  through  the  Grand  Canon  of  the  Arkansas.  The  most 
noteworthy  picture  is  the  Royal  Gorge,  situated  six  or  seven 


88  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

miles  west  of  Canyon  City.  Through  this  pass  run  torrents 
of  water,  the  rocks  towering  up  to  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred 
feet  high,  and  almost  vertical,  the  walls  being  so  close  to- 
gether that  the  Railroad  Company  had  to  make  a  bridge  for 
their  road  by  cutting  a  rest  in  the  solid  rock  on  either  side 
of  the  stream.  In  this  rest  strong  iron  girders  were  placed, 
standing  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees.  Secured 
at  the  top  under  this,  the  bridge  is  swung  with  heavy  bolts, 
which  serves  for  passing  all  trains  over  the  road.  In  pass- 
ing up  the  mountain  it  required  three  locomotives.  The 
first  took  the  mail  and  baggage  cars,  the  other  two  were 
coupled  to  the  passenger  coaches.  The  run  up  the  mount- 
ain was  grand  beyond  expression.  The  train  would  wind 
around  the  mountains  so  that  at  one  point  I  saw  the  track 
in  four  places  where  our  train  had  passed  over  only  a  few 
minutes  before.  At  times  I  looked  far  below  into  almost 
unfathomable  depths,  and  again,  far  above,  at  the  ponderous 
rocks,  as  if  ready  to  crush  all  beneath  to  powder.  We 
passed  many  long  snow-sheds,  and  at  last  reached  the  sum- 
mit, ten  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-eight  feet  above 
the  sea.  The  train  stopped  here  about  twenty  minutes,  to 
give  passengers  a  chance,  I  suppose,  to  try  their  lungs.  I 
availed  myself  of  the  opportunity,  and  got  out  and  walked 
about  thirty  yards,  when  I  became  excessively  tired  and  re- 
turned to  the  car  as  soon  as  possible.  We  soon  began  to 
descend  the  mountain  on  the  Pacific  side,  and  the  further 
we  went  the  better  I  could  breathe.  About  sunset  we 
reached  a  hotel  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  where  we  got 
supper.  That  night  we  passed  Black  Canon.  I  had  taken 
my  berth  with  the  promise  that  I  would  be  called  when  we 
arrived  at  this  place,  but  it  was  thought  best  to  let  me  re- 
main undisturbed. 


Arrival  at  Salt  Lake  City.  89 


ARRIVAL    AT    SALT    LAKE. 

June  2 1  we  reached  Salt  Lake  City,  and  were  met  at  the 
depot  by  a  committee  of  Workmen.     We  entered  a  car 
riage  and  were  driven  to  the  hotel.     At  the   depot  an   old 
man  stepped  up  to   me  and  asked  if  I  knew  anyone  that 
left    Pennsylvania   for   Salt   Lake   City.     I  replied    that  I 
knew  Henry  Rudy,  the  Postmaster  of  our  town.     He  said 
he  was  the  man,  and  I  was  indeed  glad  to  see  him  after  so 
many  years.     After  remaining  at  the  hotel  a  short  time,  two 
brother  Workmen,  who  also  belong  to  the  church  of  Lat- 
ter Day  Saints,  called  for  us   in  carriages,  and  showed  us 
the  city,  which  I  must   say  is  the  most   beautiful  little  city 
that  I  ever  saw.     Its  broad  streets  are  lined  with  fine  shade 
trees,   with  an   abundance  of  pure,  limpid  water  from  the 
mountains,   flowing  continually  through    them.     We    were 
shown   the    Temple,   which   is    a   magnificent    structure  of 
granite,  or  so  called   "  Utah  marble."     The  Tabernacle  is 
large  and  with  an  arched  roof,  but  we  could  not  induce  our 
brothers  to  take  us  into  the  Temple  or  Tabernacle.     They 
said  no  one  was  permitted  to  enter  there  on  Sunday  unless 
service    was  being  carried  on.     At  this   hour  service  was 
over,  and  we  had  to  content  ourselves  with  looking  upon 
the  outside.     We    were   shown  the  residence  of   Brigham 
Young,  which    was  simply  beautiful,  and   I   suppose   very 
comfortable.     The  Endowment  House  was  also  shown  us. 
This  is  where  Brigham  kept  his  many  wives.     We  had  many 
.  fine  buildings  shown  us  as  the  residences  of  the  officers  of 
the  church. 

We  were  taken  up  to  Prospect  Point,  which  gave  us  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  city  and  valley.  Above  was  a 
splendid  fresh-water  lake,  a  mile  wide  and  three  miles 
long,    abounding    with    splendid    fish    of    all   the   choice 


90  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

varieties.  Below  lies  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  extending  for 
forty  miles.  Upon  its  banks  large  piles  of  fine  salt  are 
gathered  and  taken  to  market.  In  this  valley,  wheat,  oats, 
and  many  other  crops  grow  luxuriantly.  From  this  point 
we  were  driven  to  Fort  Douglas.  This  fort  stands  upon 
elevated  ground  overlooking  the  city.  A  great  many  sol- 
diers are  located  here,  and  this  being  Sunday,  they  were 
having  a  good  time  in  the  form  of  a  military  concert.  After 
remaining  for  half  an  hour,  we  returned  to  the  hotel. 
After  supper  quite  a  number  of  the  brothers  called  on  us 
at  our  hotel;  they  stated  that  they  could  not  procure  a  hall, 
but  we  had  an  informal  meeting  in  our  room,  and  had  a 
good  social  time.  We  encouraged  them  to  continue  in  the 
good  work.  At  eleven  o'clock,  p.  m.,  we  retired  for  the 
night. 

The  following  communication  was  received,  at  Denver, 
Colorado: — 

INVITATION    TO    VISIT    OGDEN. 

"  Ogden,  Utah,  June  ii,  1885. 
"  W.  H.  Jordan,  care  L.  Aufinger,  383  Chambers  Street 
Denver,  Colorado- -Z^^^;-  Sir:  Father  Upchurch  and  your- 
self are  cordially  and  earnestly  invited  to  stop  over  at  Ogden, 
Utah,  one  day  when  en  route  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  be- 
come the  guests  of  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  3,  A.  O.  U.  W.  It 
is  intended  to  have  a  special  meeting  of  the  Lodge,  and  a 
reception  with  refreshments.  Please  telegraph  your  accept- 
ance with  the  date  of  arrival  at  Junction  City,  so  that  timely 
arrangements  can  be  made.  Brother  Grand  Recorder 
Thorburn,  of  our  Grand  Jurisdiction,  will  be  with  us  in  our 
entertainment  of  Brother  Upchurch  and  yourself. 

"Yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P.,         E.  W.  Pipi.r, 
Recorder  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  j.  and 

Member  of  Com,  of  Invitation.'' 


Arrival  at  Ogden.  91 


ARRIVAL    AT     OGDEN. 

June  2  2,  in  the  morning,  we  took  the  train  on  the  Cen- 
tral Pacific,  for  Ogden.  The  Committee  of  Reception  was 
in  waiting  when  we  arrived.  We  were  placed  in  one  of 
the  carriages  and  taken  to  the  hotel.  The  members  of 
the  Order  were  soon  provided  with  gmii  coats  and  then 
re-entered  carriages  and  started  for  Ogden  Canon.  The 
scenery  was  grand — the  canon  narrow,  barely  wide 
enough  for  the  road,  and  the  beautiful  torrent  of  pure 
mountain  water  to  pass,  the  mountain  looming  up  a  thou- 
sand feet  high  on  either  side.  We  finally  reached  a  neat 
little  cottage,  built  in  the  narrow  gorge,  where  we  stopped. 
Rod  and  line  being  furnished  us,  we  tried  our  luck  at  catch- 
ing fish.  Brother  Jordan  took  the  first,  a  beautiful  brook 
trout.  Dinner  was  soon  announced;  then  we  sat  down  to 
a  magnificent  repast  of  sparkling  trout  and  luscious  straw- 
berries, with  everything  nice  accompanying  them.  To  this 
we  did  ample  justice.  About  two  o'clock  we  re-entered  the 
carriages  for  the  city,  where  a  special  meeting  of  the  Order 
had  been  called.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the 
Master  Workman,  when  an  address  of  welcome  was  deliv- 
ered, to  which  I  replied,  followed  by  Brother  Jordan, 
Supreme  Overseer,  which  was  responded  to  by  several 
members. 

Ogden  is  a  lively  city,  and  the  members  of  the  Order  left 
nothing  undone  that  would  make  our  stay  pleasant.  After 
supper  we  again  took  the  train  for  San  Francisco. 

^une  23  we  took  breakfast  at  Elko,  five  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  miles  from  San  Francisco.  The  scenery  passed 
that  day  was  grand.  The  rocks  were  formed  in  almost  every 
conceivable  shape,  but  the  most  noted  wonder  was  Castle 
Gate.     The  opening  is  narrow,  the  walls  on  either  side  rise 


92  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

perpendicularly,  hundreds  of  feet  high,  carved  by  the  hand 
of  time  into  many  curious  shapes  to  please  the  eye  and  ex- 
cite the  admiration  of  the  mind. 

We  took  supper  at  Reno,  Nevada.  Here  we  were  met 
by  a  committee  from  Virginia  City,  expecting  us  to  stop  off 
and  visit  them,  but,  owing  to  limited  time,  we  had  to  decline 
the  invitation,  with  the  promise  that  I  would  do  so  before 
my  return  East. 

CALIFORNIA. 

We  again  entered  the  cars  and  started  on  our  way.  Im- 
mediately after  crossing  the  California  line,  Brother  Jordan 
handed  me  the  following  dispatch: — 

"Sacramento,  Cal.,  June  23,  1885. 
"■  William    H.    Jordan,    Supreme    Overseer,    on    west- 
bound overland:  Father  Upchurch,  thrice  welcome.     Break- 
fast with  us  in  the  morning  at  Sacramento. 

Geo.  B.  Katzenstein." 

AT   THE    capital    CITY. 
[From  the  Pacific  States  Watch}nan.'\ 

"  At  Sacramento. — The  first  formal  reception  in  Cali- 
fornia was  had  at  Sacramento.  Grand  Master  McPherson 
and  Grand  Lecturer  Reading,  who  had  left  San  Francisco 
the  day  before,  with  a  large  delegation  from  Union  Lodge, 
No.  21,  Sacramento  Lodge,  No.  80,  and  the  Degree  of 
Honor  Lodge,  were  at  the  depot,  and  as  the  train  stopped, 
at  seven  o'clock,  a.  m.,  Past  Grand  Master  William  H. 
Jordan  emerged  from  the  sleeper,  having  upon  his  arm  the 
aged  guest  of  the  California  Jurisdiction  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  Father  Upchurch  was  formally 
introduced  to  the  Grand  Master  of  California,  who  bade 
him  a  cordial  welcome  to  the  State.  Under  the  leadership 
of  Brothers  Katzenstein  and  Young,  the  party  was  ushered 
into  the  Crystal  Palace  dining-room,  where  a  special  table 
had  been  ordered  by  the  committee,  and  which  had  been 


At  Oakland,  California.  93 

profusely  decorated  with  flowers  and  evergreens  by  the 
ladies  belonging  to  the  Degree  of  Honor.  A  hasty  but  ex- 
cellent breakfast  was  had,  numerous  introductions  were 
made,  hundreds  had  shaken  hands  with  the  '  Father,'  the 
conductor  gave  the  signal,  the  train  started,  and  cheers  filled 
the  air,  as  the  founder  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  passed  from  the  capital  of  the  State  to  receive 
the  grand  reception  awaiting  him  at  San  Francisco. 

"At  Port  Costa. — According  to  arrangements,  a  com- 
mittee of  the  members  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  went  to  Port  Costa  on  Wednesday  morning,  to 
meet  Father  Upchurch  and  escort  him  to  Oakland.  The 
committee  consisted  of  Brothers  Peter  Abrahamson.  Dr.  R. 
E.  Williams,  Dr.  Irwin,  J.  F.  Wilby,  Emanuel  Lewis,  J.  C. 
Hoag,  W.  W.  Hanscom,  E.  F.  Loud,  W.  Broderick,  Geo. 
T.  Shaw,  A.  F.  Bell,  P.  Vesey,  F.  S.  Poland,  J.  A.  Guisti, 
H.  G.  Pratt,  J.  G.  Severance,  G.  A.  Bordwell,  J.  O.  Moore, 
H.  Wolfson,  J.  M.  Camp,  J.  H.  Macdonald,  F.  Blight,  W. 
T.  Thompson,  J.  Davis,  L.  Livingston,  T.  W.  Bethel,  A.  K. 
Kipps,  E.  Rodecker,  George  Jordan,  Thomas  Murray,  S.  F. 
Purdy,  G.  W.  Lemont,  C  W.  Daniels,  C  H.  M.  Curry,  D. 
Sewell,  and  E.  Danforth.  When  Port  Costa  w^as  reached 
the  special  car  was  switched  off,  and  afterward  coupled  to 
the  car  bringing  the  distinguished  Workman.  Father  Up- 
church  then  entered  the  special  car,  escorted  by  Supreme 
Overseer  W.  H.  Jordan,  Grand  Master  Duncan  McPherson, 
and  E,  M.  Reading,  Grand  Lecturer.  The  two  last-named 
had  met  the  guest  at  Sacramento.  Mr.  Jordan  introduced 
Mr.  Upchurch  to  Grand  Foreman  Danforth,  saying  that  his 
pleasant  duties  were  now  at  an  end,  having  escorted  the 
father  of  their  Order  across  the  continent,  and  he  now  gave 
him  into  the  hands  of  the  San  Francisco  committee.  Mr. 
Danforth  welcomed  the  veteran  brother  in  behalf  of  the 
fraternity  in  California,  and  the  members  of  the  committee 
were  then  individually  introduced. 

AT    OAKLAND. 

"  On  the  arrival  of  the  special  car  at  the  Sixteenth  Street 
Station,  Oakland,  Brethren  T.  H.  Corder,  W.  H.  Wilkinson, 


94  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

E.  H.  Lake,  J.  W.  Watson,  C  H.  Eitel,  W.  Winnie,  David 
S.  Hirshberg,  and  Charles  E.  Alden,  of  Oakland  Lodge, 
met  the  party,  and  escorted  Mr.  Upchurch  and  a  few  of  the 
San  Francisco  committee  to  carriages,  which  were  driven  to 
Mr.  Jordan's  residence.  -  There  the  host's  wife  had  a  lunch 
prepared  for  the  guests.  A  number  of  toasts  were  pro- 
posed, and  responded  to  informally,  Mr.  Jordan  proposing 
the  first:  '  A  Health  in  California  Wine  to  Father  Up- 
church.' This  was  followed  by  toasts  to  the  host  and  host- 
ess, '  California,'  responded  to  by  Mr.  McPherson,  and 
'  California  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,' 
responded  to  by  Mr.  Pratt.  Later  in  the  afternoon  he  drove 
out  to  the  Asylum  for  the  Deaf,  Dumb,  and  Blind,  and  re- 
turned to  the  Jordan  residence  for  dinner.  At  six  o'clock 
Oakland  Legion,  No.  3,  Select  Knights,  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  in  uniform,  commanded  by  C.  E.  Alden, 
called  for  Mr.  Upchurch,  and  escorted  him  to  the  station. 
There  he  was  met  by  California  Lodge,  No.  i;  Oakland 
Lodge,  No.  2;  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  3;  Occidental  Lodge, 
No.  6;  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  7;  Oak  Leaf  Lodge,  No.  35; 
Keystone  Lodge,  No.  64,  together  with  the  Alameda  and 
Berkeley  Lodges,  and  a  large  number  of  citizens,  and  a 
band  of  music.  The  train  ran  down  to  the  ferry,  crowded 
to  the  doors,  and  the  ferry-boat  itself  was  crowded.  On 
the  boat  Mr.  Jordan  introduced  a  number  of  officers  of 
the  Order  to  Mr.  Upchurch,  and  the  Lodges  formed  on  the 
lower  deck,  from  which  they  marched,  escorting  Mr.  Up- 
church to  the  waiting  carriage. 

ARRIVAL    IN    SAN    FRANCISCO. 

"  At  San  Francisco. — In  the  vicinity  of  the  ferry  land- 
ing, on  this  side  of  the  bay,  an  immense  crowd  had  gathered, 
mainly  made  up  of  San  Francisco  Lodges.  The  San  Fran- 
cisco Legion  of  Select  Knights,  in  uniform,  also  turned  out. 

"  An  elegant  open  barouche,  drawn  by  four  white  horses, 
had  been  prepared  for  the  distinguished  guest,  and  when 
the  large  party  arrived  and  the  line  of  march  was  formed. 
Father  Upchurch  entered  the  carriage  with  Messrs.  Jordan 
and  Barnes. 


The  Procession.  95 


THE    PROCESSION. 

"  The  following  was  the  order  of  the  procession: — 

"A  platoon  of  police,  headed  by  Sergeant  Fitzpatrick, 
Grand  Marshal  Frank  B.  May  and  aids,  Henry  J.  Lask 
and  Henry  E.  Plate. 

*•  First  Division. — J.  W.  Scott,  Marshal;  Second  Artillery 
Regiment  Band,  N.  G.  C.;  Select  Knights  of  San  Francisco 
Legion;  San  Francisco  Lodge,  No.  4;  Golden  Gate  Lodge, 
No.  8;  Harmony 'Lodge,  No.  9;  Verba  Buena  Lodge,  No. 
14;  Bernal  Lodge,  No.  19;  Unity  Lodge,  No.  27. 

"Second  Division. — J.  T.  Dufan,  Marshal;  First  Regi- 
ment Band;  Valley  Lodge,  No.  30;  Spartan  Lodge,  No.  36; 
Magnolia  Lodge,  No.  41;  Myrtle  Lodge,  No.  42;  Franklin 
Lodge,  No  44. 

''  Third  Division. — A.  Rollins,  Marshal;  Phoenix  Band; 
Hercules  Lodge,  No.  53;  Washington  Lodge,  No.  60;  Burns 
Lodge,  No.  68;  St.  John  Lodge,  No.  73;  Excelsior  Lodge, 
No.  126;  Olympic  Lodge,  No.  127. 

"  Fourth  Division. — Capt.  C.  C.  Keene,  Marshal;  Wal- 
cott's  Band;  Fidelity  Lodge,  No.  136;  Bay  View  Lodge, 
No.  159;  Memorial  Lodge,  No.  174;  Friendship  Lodge,  No. 
179;  Triumph  Lodge,  No.  180;  Noe  Valley  Lodge,  No.  185. 

•'  Fifth  Division. — (Composed  of  delegates  from  Lodges 
in  Oakland)  D.  S.  Hirshberg,  Marshal;  CaUfornia  Lodge, 
No.  1;  Oakland  Lodge,  No.  2;  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  3; 
Occidental  Lodge,  No.  6;  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  7;  Berkeley 
Lodge,  No.  10;  Temple  Lodge,  No.  11;  Oak  Leaf  Lodge, 
No.  35;  Hearts  of  Oak  Lodge,  No.  61 ;  Keystone  Lodge,  No. 
64;  University  Lodge,  No.  88;  Ashler  Lodge,  No  165;  West 
End  Lodge,  No.  175;  Escort  of  Honor,  Oakland  Legion 
of  Select  Knights,  under  command  of  Charles  E,  Alden ;  a 
barouche  containing  Father  Upchurch,  and  President  of  the 
Day,  William  H.  Barnes;  ten  barouches  containing  officers 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"The  procession  moved  up  Market  Street  to  California, 
to  Kearny,  to  Market,  and  halted  on  reaching  Larkin  Street. 
There  the  column  was  drawn  up  in  line,  and  Father  Up- 
church  passed  in  review,  preceded  by  the  Oakland  Legion 


96  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

of  Select  Knights,  after  which  the  procession  filed  into  the 
Pavilion,  the  Oakland  Lodges  entering  first,  and  the  San 
Francisco  Lodges  following.  It  is  estimated  that  there  were 
from  two  thousand  five  hundred  to  three  thousand  men  in 
line. 

"  Throughout  the  whole  line  of  march  great  enthusiasm 
was  displayed  on  the  part  of  the  street  spectators,  and 
Father  Upchurch  was  kept  busy  bowing  in  response  to  the 
cheers  which  were  bestowed  upon  him.  The  Workmen 
expressed  great  satisfaction  at  the  manner  in  which  their 
Order  and  its  founder  were  honored  by  the  great  mass  of 
people. 

RECEPTION    IN    THE    PAVILION. 

"  Around  the  Larkin  Street  entrance  of  the  Pavilion  so 
large  a  crowd  had  gathered  by  half-past  eight  o'clock  that 
it  resembled  a  mob  more  than  a  host  of  invited  members 
who  had  come  there  to  be  present  at  the  reception  of  the 
founder  of  their  Order.  Old  and  young,  men  and  women, 
boys  and  girls,  jostled  each  other  rudely  in  their  frantic 
endeavors  to  pass  the  great  entrance.  The  doorway  on 
either  side  was  lined  by  officers,  and  at  the  entrance  were 
stationed  several  of  the  Order  to  inspect  the  tickets  of 
those  seeking  admittance. 

"  The  interior  of  the  enormous  parallelogram  presented 
an  animated  scene.  The  seating  accommodations  on  either 
side  of  the  great  parade  ground  were  full  to  overflowing. 
The  huge  wings  were  crowded  with  idle  promenaders.  At 
the  northern  end  of  the  right  wing  were  set  four  long  tables, 
upon  whose  hospitable  boards  was  placed  an  ample  col- 
lation. The  immense  stage  was  densely  packed  with 
benches,  soon  to  be  filled  with  the  selected  guests.  Behind 
the  drop  scene  were  hundreds  of  people  awaiting  anxiously 
the  order  for  them  to  take  their  places  upon  the  unoccupied 
benches.  The  great  middle  space  was  clear.  From  the 
dome  of  the  building  to  the  balconies  were  stretched  a 
multitude  of  various  colored  streamers,  and  upon  the  bal- 
cony supports  were  suspended  numerous  banners  bearing 
the  quaint  insignia  of  the  Order  and  the  mystic  letters, 
A.  O.  U.  W.,  in  different  colors. 


Address  By  P.  G.  M.  W.  Barnes.  97 

"Entrance  of  the  Procession. — In  hushed  silence 
the  enormous  gathering  awaited  the  entrance  of  that  pro- 
cession, which  was  to  tell  them  that  the  principal  ceremonies 
of  the  evening  had  begun.  It  was  nearly  ten  o'clock  before 
the  gong  of  the  Pavilion  gave  forth  its  warning  note,  and 
ere  the  echo  had  died  away  among  the  high  rafters,  the 
order  was  given  to  clear  the  entrance,  and  the  huge  doors 
were  flung  open.  Then  flowed  in  the  sound  of  martial 
music.  It  was  that  of  the  Oakland  Civic  Band.  In  close 
array,  with  military  bearing,  with  uniforms  of  black,  and 
white  accouterments,  and  helmets  with  long  red  feathers, 
in  marched  the  Select  Knights.  Before  each  division 
marched  the  standard-bearer,  carrying  a  banner  of  bright 
red  silk,  upon  the  broad  face  of  which,  in  letters  of  gold, 
were  inscribed  the  words  of  the  division. 

"  Following  the  Knights  came  Father  Upchurch,  a  quiet- 
looking  old  man,  with  gray  hair,  a  gray  goatee,  and  upon 
his  dress  all  the  stains  of  long  travel.  He  wore  a  rough, 
plmii-colored  great  coat.  In  one  hand  he  carried  a  fresh- 
cut  bouquet,  and  in  the  other  his  hat.  As  he  marched 
down  the  halWay  his  glances  fell  curiously  upon  the  thick- 
lined  sides.  Anon  the  spectators  would  break  into  simul- 
taneous applause,  and  the  clap  of  hands  sounded  like  the 
roar  of  breakers  dashing  against  a  bold  face  of  rock.  Then 
the  people  on  the  stage  caught  the  infection,  and  brother 
after  brother  jumped  from  his  chair  and  proposed  for  Father 
Upchurch  many  a  rousing  cheer.  When  the  stage  was 
gained,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Wm.  H.  Barnes  de- 
livered the  introductory  address  of  welcome,  which  was  as 
follows : — 
welcome  address  by  past  grand  master  workman 

BARNES. 

"'Officers,  Brethren,  and  Friends:  Often  have 
mighty  processions  been  seen  in  our  streets;  often  have 
triumphal  arches  been  erected  on  the  public  thoroughfares 
of  San  Francisco,  and  banners  swinging  to  the  breeze  in 
token  of  joyous  celebration.  Time  and  again,  statesmen, 
sages,  and  warriors  have  found,  in  this  city  on  the  western 
7 


§8  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

slope  of  the  continent,  ovations  and  hearty  w:lcome  un- 
paralleled; and  yet  I  say  that  to  none  who  thus  far  have 
visited  our  land  of  the  setting  sun,  is  a  mighty  recognition 
of  gratitude  more  due  than  to  the  grand  old  man  who  is 
now  the  guest  of  the  Workmen  of  California — this  man, 
who  in  his  life-work  has  said,  like  Abou  Ben  Adhem  to  the 
angel,— 

"  Write  me  as  one  who  loves  his  fellow-men," — 

This  nobleman  of  nature,  who,  with  the  magic  rod  of 
humanity,  has  smitten  a  world's  petrified  selfishness,  and 
caused  the  flinty  mass  to  open  and  pour  forth  a  living  and 
continuous  stream  of  practical  benevolence  to  gladden  and 
make  green  what  otherwise  would  have  been  waste  and 
desert  places. 

"  '  It  is  meet  and  proper  that  here  in  California  he  should 
receive  the  grandest  ovation  of  his  life,  for  Cahfornia  is  not 
only  the  land  of  metals,  grains,  fruits,  and  flowers,  but  it 
also  stands  first  and  foremost  as  the  land  of  fraternity,  and 
in  the  name  of  that  universal  fraternity,  which  here  is  part 
and  parcel  of  our  every-day  life;  in  the  name  of  the  widows 
and  orphans  comforted,  relieved,  and  blessed  by  fraternal 
aid ;  in  the  name  of  the  seventeen  thousand  gallant  sons  of  our 
Order  in  this  State,  and  of  their  wives  and  children.,  1  bid 
a  welcome,  to  our  hearts  and  homes,  to  him  w^ho.  Franklin- 
like, caught  the  living  spark  from  the  dark  clouds  surround- 
ing humanity,  brought  it  into  subjection,  and  sent  it  forth, 
an  electric  light,  under  the  title  of  Fraternal  Co-operation, 
to  shed  abroad  its  brilliant  beams  until — 

"Misfortune  has  no  want  to  relieve; 
Sorrow  no  tear  to  dry.  " 

" '  Once  more,  thrice  welcome  to  our  Father,  Brother, 
Friend,  Past  Supreme  Master  John  J.  Upchurch;  founder 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.' 

"  With  modesty  Father  Upchurch  rose  to  make  answer. 
His  voice  was  hardly  audible,  so  overcome  was  he  with 
emotion. 


Oration  By  P.  G.  M.  W.  Wm.  H.  Jordan.      99 

HIS   RESPONSE. 

"  '  My  heart  is  too  full  for  utterance.  This  great  audience 
so  overpowers  me  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  say  all  that 
I  would  wish.  I  was  never  called  to  speak,  nor  am  I  known 
as  a  speaker.  I  have  been  more  of  a  working  man  than  an 
orator.  I  appreciate,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  this 
great  demonstration.  It  will  remain  engraven  through  all 
years  in  my  heart  far  greater  than  any  event  in  my  life.  I 
only  wish  that  I  could  do  it  justice,  but  I  cannot,  and  so  I 
sincerely  thank  you  for  your  kindness.' 

ORATION    OF    PAST   GRAND    MASTER    WORKMAN  WM.  H. 
JORDAN. 

"After  the  applause  had  subsided,  Wm.  H.  Jordan, 
Supreme  Overseer,  gave  the  oration,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  synopsis: — 

" '  Mr.  Chairman,  Brother  Workmen,  Ladies  and 
Gentlemen:  This  grand  outpouring  of  the  people  of  San 
Francisco  evinces  the  tendency  of  the  human  race  to  honor 
those  who  have  achieved  much  in  the  battle  of  life.  From 
time  immemorial  it  has  been  the  custom  of  mankind  to 
throng  the  streets  and  shout  at  the  sight  of  those  who  re- 
turn from  the  field  of  battle  laden  with  the  honors  of  war. 
Napoleon  and  Wellington,  Garibaldi  and  Von  Moltke,  are 
names  that  rouse  the  blood  of  patriots  throughout  the 
earth,  and  to-day  the  eyes  of  all  the  world  are  strained 
towards  the  little  cottage  on  the  summit  of  Mount  McGregor, 
and  the  pulse  comes  quick  and  fast  as  the  click  of  the 
telegraph  tells  the  story  of  each  day's  suffering,  as  the  silent 
hero  of  Shiloh,  Vicksburg,  and  Appomattox  fights  alone  the 
battle  of  life  and  death.  These  grand  heroes  of  the  battle- 
field are  honored  because  of  the  sacrifices  and  dangers  they 
have  encountered  in  the  face  of  shot  and  shell  of  battle. 
But  sometimes — thank  God  for  it — sometimes  it  happens 
that  the  people  have  an  opportunity  to  honor  a  man  who 
has  achieved  fame,  not  upon  the  field  of  battle,  not  through 
the  sorrows  he  has  brought  to  the  human  heart,  but  through 
the  joy  he  has  caused  to  spring  up  in  the  lives  of  his  fellow- 


100  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

men.  Such  a  man  is  our  honored  brother,  the  guest  of 
this  immense  outpouring  to-night,  J.  J.  Upchurch.  [-^p- 
plause^  Seventeen  years  ago  Father  Upchurch,  in  the 
quiet  village  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  gathered  together 
a  little  band  of  thirteen,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  Thirteen  true  and 
noble  men!  The  very  number  was  an  omen  of  good. 
Christ  and  his  twelve  apostles  constituted  a  band  of  thirteen, 
who  undertook  the  work  of  Christianizing  the  world.  In 
1775  thirteen  States  banded  together  to  form  the  American 
Union,  and  to-day  there  are  thirteen  stripes  in  that  grand 
old  flag  that  floats  over  land  and  sea,  the  emblem  of  human 
liberty.  \Ap'plause^  We  honor  this  grand  old  man,  and 
to-night  bid  him  welcome  to  our  golden  shores.  We  honor 
him  for  the  good  he  has  done;  and  not  we  alone.  Toward 
us  are  turned  the  eyes  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-two  thou- 
sand men,  and  they  all  shout  aloud  a  grand  anthem  of 
praise  to  the  honored  man  who  is  to-night  the  guest  of 
California  Workmen.     \_Applause^ 

'"Seventeen  years  ago  Father  Upchurch  planted  the  seed 
that  has  to-day  sprung  up  to  such  grand  proportions.  The 
plan  which  he  then  devised  to  relieve  the  distress  of  hu- 
manity has  vrorked  more  marvels  than  the  magician's  wand. 
Eleven  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  have  been 
scattered  among  the  grief-stricken  families  of  our  fraternity, 
and  God  above  can  tell  what  wounds  have  been  healed, 
what  sorrows  assuaged.  Last  week  I  stood  in  New  York 
Harbor,  upon  the  pedestal  that  soon  is  to  receive  the  great 
Statue  of  Liberty, — that  colossal  wonder  of  the  nineteenth 
century.  Soon  the  electric  rays  from  its  uplifted  torch  will 
stream  far  out  to  sea,  welcoming  the  storm-tossed  mariner 
as  he  approaches  the  haven  of  political  and  religious  freedom. 
With  its  face  turned  toward  the  east,  it  will  be  the  first  to 
greet  the  rising  sun  and  announce  the  approach  of  day. 
But  we  are  to-day  erecting  upon  these  Western  shores  a 
greater  wonder  than  that  of  the  great  Bartholdi.     It  is  a 


Picnic  at  Fairfax.  101 

colossal  statue  of  fraternity,  upon  the  base  of  which  is  en- 
graven, in  characters  of  gold,  the  letters  A.  O.  U.  W. 
[Great  Applause?\^ 

" '  In  its  outstretched  hand  it  holds  the  electric  torch  of 
brotherly  love.  Its  face  is  turned  not  toward  the  East,  but 
toward  the  West.  Its  eyes  do  not  greet  the  rising  sun,  but 
they  follow  ii  as  it  sets  among  the  billows  of  life's  tempest- 
uous sea;  and  when  the  dark  gloom  of  life's  night  falls 
upon  the  sullen  waters,  the  rays,  glittering  and  gleaming 
from  its  mighty  torch,  sweep  over  the  waves,  carrying  com- 
fort and  hope  where'er  they  are  seen.     \Applause!\ 

"^Father  Upchurch  is  welcomed  to-night  by  his  children 
of  the  West;  and  as  a  token  of  your  enthusiasm  I  ask  you, 
in  conclusion,  to  join  with  us  in  three  hearty  cheers  for  the 
founder  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.' " 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises  at  the  Pavilion,  I 
shook  the  hand  of  hundreds  of  Workmen  and  their  families. 
A  beautiful  little  girl,  Nelly  Cattran,  the  six-year-old 
daughter  of  the  Recorder  of  Triumph  Lodge,  No.  i8o, 
approached  me  with  such  confidence  that  I  could  not 
forego  kissing  her.  At  a  late  hour  I  was  conveyed  to  the 
Baldwin  Hotel.  Here  I  must  confess  that  I  was  taken 
entirely  by  surprise,  never  anticipating  anything  that  would 
compare  with  this  grand  demonstration. 

[From  the  Watchman.'] 
THE  PICNIC  AT  FAIRFAX. 

''Over  five  thousand  people  attended  the  Seventeenth 
Anniversary  Picnic  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, at  Fairfax,  on  Thursday,  June  25,  and  a  most  enjoyable 
day  was  passed.  No  accident  of  any  kind  happened,  and 
the  programme  was  carried  out  successfully.  The  facilities 
of  transportation  were  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  take  the  crowds 


102  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

from  the  city,  and  hundreds  came  also  from  the  surrounding 
towns.  Father  Upchurch  came  over  on  the  eleven  o'clock 
boEit;  and  not  only  did  the  people  who  had  come  over  with 
him  wait  at  the  station  to  see  him  alight  and  escort  him  to 
the  grounds,  but  an  assemblage  of  over  five  hundred,  made 
up  of  those  who  had  come  over  on  the  early  boats,  was 
awaiting  him.  No  games  or  amusements  had  been  indulged 
in;  they  had  felt  that  the  picnic  had  not  begun  until  the 
Father  had  arrived.  Duncan  McPherson,  Grand  Master, 
welcomed  the  veteran  guest  in  a  few  well-chosen  remarks. 
Amid  cheers  and  acclamations,  Father  Upchurch  was 
escorted  up  the  winding  path  to  the  pavilion.  Here,  on  the 
music  stand,  the  old  gentleman,  with  a  beam  of  pleasure 
lighting  up  his  countenance,  made  a  brief  address  in  which 
he  thanked  his  "children"  for  their  universal  expressions  of 
love  toward  himself.  It  was  such  an  overwhelming  ovation 
that  he  could  not  control  his  feelings.  He  could  feel  what 
he  could  not  express.  His  remarks  were  loudly  applauded, 
and  the  glen  echoed  with  the  cheers  which  were  given. 

ORATION    OF    PAST    GRAND    MASTER    WORKMAN     WILLIAM    H. 
BARNES. 

"  The  orator  of  the  day,  William  H.  Barnes,  Past  Grand 
Master  of  California,  was  then  introduced.  He  briefly 
sketched  the  growth  of  the  Order  which  Father  Upchurch 
had  founded,  and  outlined  the  grand  work  which  the 
founder  had  accomplished.  His  speech  closed  with  a 
brilliant  peroration  eulogistic  of  the  Order  and  Father 
Upchurch.  The  pavilion  was  then  cleared  for  dancing, 
and-  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  given  up  to  enjoyment. 
Lunch  baskets  were  unpacked  and  groups  formed  all  over 
the  ground,  each  individual  enjoying  himself  heartily.  The 
Second  Regiment  Band  was  in  attendance  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  desired  to  dance. 

"The  following    'Acrostic'   was  composed,  and  read  at 


An  Acrostic.  1^^ 


the  dinner  table  at  Fairfax  Park  on  the  day  of  the  grand 
picnic: — 

ACROSTIC. 


BY  WM.  H.  BARNES. 

"  A  mechanic  stands  in  his  Eastern  home, 

Thinking  of  days  gone  by  ; 

Rich  are  bis  thoughts  as  on  they  roam., 

In  blessing  and  harmony. 

Brii^ht  glows  his  eye  as  he  thinks  of  his  toil 

Under  the  guidance  of  Heaven, 

That  has  bro't  into  light  from  Fraternity  s  soil, 

Endless  joys,  and  protection  has  given 

To  widows  and  orphans,  and  many  of  those 
Of  whom  the  dear  Saviour  has  said: 

'Find  the  wayworn  and  weary;  the  naked  ones  clothe; 

And  unto  the  hungry  give  bread.'  •  ,  ,  •    u      . 

The  good  old  man  stands  and  communes  with  his  heart; 

'  How  gracious  hath  God  been  to  me, 

Each  hour  hath  he  given  the  efforts  I've  made 

Rich  fruitage  of  prosperity.' 

Unto  him,  as  he  muses,  a  messenger  comes, 

Placing  into  his  sinewy  hand 

California's  kind  bidding  to  visit  our  home, 

Here,  by  the  Pacific's  bright  strand. 

Unspeakable  joys  enkindle  his  eyes; 

Rapture  fills,  in  each  pulse,  every  part. 

*  California  has  called,'  he  exclaims  in  surprise, 

*  Heaven  bless  her  benevolent  heart!' 
Peace  scoreth  her  victories  oft  and  again 
As  well  as  war's  carnage  and  whirl; 
Sweet  is  the  song  and  thrilling  the  strain 
That  Fraternity  sings  to  the  world, 


106        Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Swiftly  the  journey  is  made  from  the  East, 
Unto  where  the  Sierra's  great  dome 
Proclaims  to  our  brother,  '  Soon  you  will  rest. 
Rest  sweet  in  Fraternity's  home.' 
Each  city  and  town  now  a  welcome  extend, 
Most  hearty  the  shouts  and  the  cheers; 
Every  brother  his  presence  doth  willingly  lend 

When  good  'Father'  Upchurch  appears. 

Orders  open  their  arms,  and  hundreds  of  men 

Round  him  gather  in  love  day  by  day; 

Kings  might  envy  this  one,  who,  though  humble  and  plain, 

Men  delight  a  true  homage  to  pay; 

And  the  reason,  so  plain  that  none  can  efface, — 

Nobly  he  hath  worked  for  the  good  of  his  race." 

THE    "  watchman's  "    WELCOME. 

On  my  arrival  in  Oakland,  Brother  Jordan  handed  me 
the  following  letter,  which  explains  itself: — 

"A  Noble  Response. — Wishing  to  add  our  mite  toward 
making  Father  Upchurch's  visit  pleasant  to  himself  and 
friends,  we  entered  his  name  as  an  honorary  subscriber  for 
life  on  our  mail  list,  and  addressed  him  the  following  let- 
ter, which  is  self-explanatory.  For  his  generous-hearted 
response  and  noble  words  of  acknowledgment  to  our  whole 
brotherhood,  we  are  exceedingly  grateful  and  appreciative: — 

"  '  Office  of  "  Pacific  States  Watchman,"  ) 
'"San  Francisco,  June  24,  1885.      j 

"  '  To  Father  Upchurch — 

"  '  Dear  Father  Upchurch  :  Allow  us  to  extend  to  you 
the  congratulations  of  the  Pacific  States  VVatchjnan  upon 
safely  arriving  in  our  "Golden  State."  We  are  thankful 
that  you  were  kind  enough  to  visit  our  Jurisdiction.  We 
are  most  happy  to  voice  to  you  the  sentiments  of  a  great 
and  thoroughly  united  brotherhood,  and  say  welcome,  a 
thousand  times  welcome,  to  our  fraternal  altars  and  to  our 
firesides. 


The  "Watchman's"  Welcome.  107 

"  'Allow  us  to  further  extend  to  you  the  support  of  your 
old  friend,  the  Watchman,  and  ask  you  to  accept  as  a 
memento  from  us  one  hundred  complimentary  copies  of 
your  engraved  portrait,  which  we  have  had  prepared  by  one 
of  our  best  artists,  with  as  much  care  and  truthfulness  as 
possible. 

"'We  do  this  with  the  thought  that  you  may  possibly  be 
pleased  to  make  use  of  some  of  them,  perhaps  indorsed 
with  your  autograph  to  some  of  our  brotherhood  as  a 
souvenir  of  your  visit  to  us. 

"  '  May  we  not  hope  that  you  will  pay  the  Watchman 
Publishing  House  a  visit,  where  we  will  make  you,  at  all 
times,  as  welcome  as  our  humble  abilities  will  permit  1 

"  '  We  also  invite  you  to  say  a  good  w^ord  now  and  then 
to  your  loving  and  faithful  "children  of  the  Order"  on  this 
Coast,  through  our  columns. 
"  '  Yours  fraternally, 

"  Watchman  "  Publishing  Co., 
A.  T.  Dewey ^  Past  Master  Workman,  Manager ^^ 

MY    RESPONSE. 

"San  Francisco,  June  26,  1885. 
"  A.  T.  Dewey,  Past  Master  Workman,  Manager  Watch- 
man Publishing  Company — Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  Your 
kind  favor  of  the  24th  inst.,  accompanying  a  roll  of  one 
hundred  copies  of  my  portrait,  beautifully  engraved,  was 
handed  me  by  Brother  Jordan,  yesterday  morning.  Your 
generous  congratulations  and  flattering  expression  of  frater- 
nal love,  as  wtII  as  the  handsome  gift  by  which  they  are  ac- 
companied, are  to  me  most  dear.  No  words  can  express 
my  appreciation,  nor  measure  the  debt  of  gratitude  which  I 
feel  constrained  to  acknowledge  for  all  that  the  Watchman 
and  my  '  children  '  of  California  have  done.  The  grandeur 
and  hearty  spontaneity  of  my  reception  here,  far  surpasses 
anything  that  had  ever  entered  into  my  mind  to  conceive. 
Truly,  the  spirit  of  fraternity  glows  in  the  hearts  of  the 
Workmen  of  California,  with  a  brilliancy  that  I  have  never 
beheld  elsewhere.  I  thank  you  and  them  for  all.  God  bless 
you  to  the  end  of  life. 

"Your  brother,  always,  J.  J.  Upchurch." 


108  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

visiting  the  san  francisco  lodges. 

June  26,  I  visited  Verba  Buena,  No.  14;  Spartan  Lodge, 
No.  36;  and  Hercules,  No.  53.  I  acted  as  Past  Master 
Workman,  and  administered  the  obligation  to  three  Master 
Workmen.  Also  delivered  a  short  address  to  the  Lodge. 
We  had  a  good  turn-out,  and  a  great  deal  of  interest 
was  manifested. 

June  27  I  was  conducted  through  the  California  market 
by  Brother  Jordan,  which  surpassed  anything  of  the  kind 
that  I  have  ever  seen  for  its  great  variety.  We  then  took 
lunch  with  Brother  Guisti. 

VISITING    OAKLAND    LODGES. 

In  the  evening  I  was  escorted  to  the  Hamilton  Church, 
Oakland,  where  a  grand  reception  was  given  me.  At  half- 
past  seven  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Grand  Master  Workman  McPher- 
son  introduced  me  to  the  audience  in  his  happy  style. 
Then  I  delivered  a  short  address,  followed  by  Past  Supreme 
Master  Workman  Fish,  Supreme  Overseer  Jordan,  and 
others,  with  fine  music,  both  instrumental  and  vocal.  1  he 
number  of  Workmen,  and  the  Select  Knights  in  uniform, 
had  a  grand  time.  A  beautiful  floral  offering  was  presented 
me  by  the  Degree  of  Honor  ladies.  June  28,  I  attended 
the  Episcopal  Church  with  Brother  Jordan  and  his  estimable 
lady.  In  the  afternoon  I  returned  to  San  Francisco  In 
the  evening  a  grand  reception  was  given  me  by  Brother  E. 
Lewis  at  his  residence.  About  fifty  guests  were  present. 
We  had  a  magnificent  time.  I  was  presented  by  Brother 
Lewis  with  a  beautiful  floral  offering  with  the  device, 
'*Long   Live   Upchurch." 


Invitation  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.         109 

SELECT  knights'  ENTERTAINMENT. 

At  night  I  visited  Select  Knights,  No.  i,  and  acted  as 
Chaplain;  took  in  six  members,  one  of  whom  was  Grand 
Master  Workman  Duncan  McPherson.  We  had  an  inter- 
esting meeting  and  a  social  time.  At  the  close,  the  mem- 
bers repaired  to  the  banquet  hall,  where  a  fine  spread  was 
in  waiting,  of  which  we  partook  with  relish. 

invitation  of  the  knights  of  honor. 

"  Office  of  Grand  Dictator  ) 
K.-of  H.,  of  Gal,  June  29,  1885.       j 

To    Father   UpcJmrch^    and  Grand  Master    Workman  Mc- 
Pherson, Ande?tt  Order  of  United  Workmen — 

"Greeting:  A  fraternal  invitation  is  hereby  extended  to 
each  of  you  to  attend  our  Twelfth  Anniversary  Picnic  at 
Stephen's  Park,  East  Oakland,  Tuesday,  June  30,  1885,  at 
fifteen  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock,  p.  m.  Committee  will 
receive  you  at  Central  Pacific  ferry  on  boat  leaving  San 
Francisco  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and  at  the  ferry 
at  fifteen  minutes  past  eleven,  a.  m.  In  the  name  of  the 
Knights  of  Honor,  Fraternally, 

Wm.  H.  Barnes,  Grand  Dictator  of  Cair 

At  the  appointed  time  I  was  escorted  to  the  boat,  on  the 
Oakland  side,  took  the  train,  and  after  a  short  run  was  put 
off  at  the  Park,  which  is  a  magnificent  place  tastefully  ar- 
ranged to  please  the  most  fastidious.  A  goodly  number 
were  ushered  into  a  spacious  dining-room,  where  lunch 
was  already  prepared,  and  was  partaken  of  greatly  to  the 
joy  of  the  inner  man. 

I  was  then  introduced  to  the  audience,  and  addressed 
them  on  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  the  opposition  we  had  to  overcome,  also 
the  benefits  that  are  to   be  derived  by  the  families  of  its 


110  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

members.  Brother  W.  H.  Jordan  was  then  introduced,  and 
addressed  them  in  that  happy  manner  that  commands  the 
attention  of  everyone  within  the  sound  of  his  voice.  He 
dwelt  at  length  upon  the  relationship  of  the  two  Orders,  and 
the  amount  of  suffering  and  distress  that  had  been  alleviated. 
He  also  spoke  in  glowing  terms  of  the  future  of  the  two 
Orders.  He  took  his  seat  amid  roars  of  applause.  Several 
other  brothers  were  called  upon,  who  spoke  with  interest 
and  enthusiasm  on  the  many  virtues  of  the  Order. 

Before  leaving  the  stand,  a  committee  requested  that  I 
should  permit  them  to  elect  me  as  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Honor,  to  which  I  readily  consented,  but  I 
regret  to  say  I  could  not  make  it  convenient  to  take  the 
degree.  At  the  close  of  the  exercises  in  the  pavilion,  all 
went  out  to  see  the  sports,  which  consisted  of  foot-races,  of 
both  sexes,  old  and  young,  which  added  greatly  to  the 
amusement  of  the  occasion.  At  four  o'clock  we  again  took 
the  train  for  San  Francisco. 

In  the  evening  I  visited  Unity  Lodge,  No.  27.  The 
members  turned  out  well.  I  gave  them  a  short  talk  and 
had  a  pleasant  time.     They  seem  all  alive  to  their  work. 

VISITS    CHINATOWN. 

July  I,  in  the  afternoon.  Grand  Master  Workman  Mc- 
pherson, W.  H.  Barnes,  F.  S.  Poland  and  myself,  accompa- 
nied by  Sergeant  Bethel,  visited  •'  Chinatown."  I  do  not 
wonder  that  Californians  are  opposed  to  the  Chinese,  for 
they  are  certainly  the  most  degraded  beings  that  I  ever  saw. 
They  occupy  quarters  that  a  decent  rat  would  scorn  tO' 
live  in.  In  several  places  there  would  be  five  or  six  in  a. 
room  not  more  than  seven  feet  square,  piled  in  like  sardines,, 
on  shelves  with  nothing  to  lie  on  but  a  piece  of  mat,  and  a. 
block  of  wood  for  a  pillow.     Here  they  smoke  opium  until 


Visits  Valley,  and  Other  Lodges.  Ill 


they    ''keel  over,''    drunk.     We  called  on   their  Medicine 
Man;  and  also  saw  their  god.     They  worship  the  devil  as 
well  as  other  gods.     To  prevent  him  from  punishing  them, 
they  keep  a  cup  of  whisky  and  a  cup  of  tea  sitting  before 
him  continually.     They  said  he  sometimes  drinks  tea  and 
sometimes  whisky.     When  one  is  sick,  a  bundle  of  sticks  is 
handed  him,  and  he  draws    out   one,  which   indicates  the 
kind  of  medicine  that  is  required  to  reach  his  case.     He 
takes  this  stick  to  the  drug  store  and  gets  what  it  calls  for — 
it  may  be  a  dried  locust  s'hell  or  a  lizard  skin,  or  something 
else  equally  as  noxious.     At  another  place  they  were  packed 
under  the  sidewalk.     In  the  theater,  down  underground,  we 
found  a  Chinese  woman — an  actress — and  three  children, 
living  in  a  room  about  seven  feet  square.     My  head  touched 
the  ceiling.     All  the  work,  including  cooking,  was  done  in 
this  room.     The  smoke  had  to  escape  through  a  window 
about  two  feet  square,  out  under  the  sidewalk.     It  is  said 
there  are  forty  thousand  of  them  occupying  twelve  squares 
of  the  city.     Language  cannot  express  the  degradation  that 
I  beheld  in  this  locality. 

VISITS    VALLEY,    EXCELSIOR,    AND    OTHER     LODGES. 

In  the  evening  I  visited  Valley  Lodge,  No.  30  This  is 
the  second  largest  Lodge  in  the  Order.  There  was  a  fine 
turnout,  it  being  installation  night.  I  gave  them  a  short 
address,  which  was  followed  by  a  number  of  other  speakers. 
Upon  the  whole,  we  had  a  grand  time,  which  wound  up 
with  a  banquet. 

July  2  I  visited  Excelsior  Lodge  and  three  others,  which 
had  been  called  together  as  a  district.  I  gave  them  a  short 
talk  on  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Order,  its  mission, 
duties,  etc.,  which  was  followed  by  Brother  Jordan  and 
others,  whose  discourses  were  deeply  interesting.     At  eleven 


112  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

o'clock  p.  M.,  we  visited  Silver  Star  Lodge,  Degree  of 
Honor,  but  being  detained  at  Excelsior  longer  than  we  ex- 
pected, Silver  Star  Lodge  had  closed,  but  a  large  number  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  were  still  in  the  hall.  They  reopened 
the  Lodge,  when  I  gave  them  a  short  address  on  the  frater- 
nal relations  existing  between  the  Degree  of  Honor  and  the 
Workmen.  We  had  a  very  social  time,  and  all  went  away 
benefited. 

VISITS    GOLDEN    GATE    PARK. 

July  3  Brother  Poland,  two  Degree  of  Honor  ladies,  and 
myself  took  a  carriage  and  visited  the  park,  in  which  stands 
President  Garfield's  statue.  It  is  a  magnificent  park,  large, 
and  laid  out  with  the  finest  collection  of  flowers  and  shrub- 
bery that  I  ever  saw.  The  conservatory  is  beyond  descrip- 
tion in  loveliness.  After  spending  a  couple  of  hours  here, 
we  again  entered  our  carriage.  The  next  place  we  visited 
was  the  Life-saving  Station.  Here  we  were  shown  the  modus 
operandi  of  shooting  a  line  to  a  ship  and  its  return.  The 
whole  operation  was,  to  me,  very  interesting.  The  next 
place  of  interest  was  the  Cliff  House,  built  upon  the  rocks 
overhanging  the  ocean.  From  this  popular  place  of  resort 
could  be  seen  upon  the  rocks  extending  above  the  surface 
of  the  ocean,  dozens  of  sea-lions  and  seals,  who  created  a 
perfect  Babel  with  their  continuous  bowlings.  Some  of 
them  were  as  large  as  an  ox.  After  spending  an  hour  here, 
we  returned  to  the  city. 

Grand  Lecturer  Reading  and  myself  visited  Bay  View 
Lodge.  The  hall  was  well  filled  on  our  arrival.  After  an 
address  of  welcome,  I  was  introduced  and  addressed  the 
Lodge  on  the  principles  of  the  Order,  showing  the  duties  that 
we  owe  our  families  by  joining  the  Order  and  providing  for 
them  when  we  are  called  away.     Brother  Reading  followed  in 


Visits  the  Office  of  the  "Watchman."        113 

his  happy,  logical,  and  convincing  manner,  which  always  de- 
mands strict  attention.  The  business  of  the  Lodge  being 
through  with,  all  were  requested  to  repair  to  the  banquet- 
room,  where  a  fine  spread  was  prepared  for  the  enjoyment 
of  all. 

VISIT   TO   GRAND   RECORDER   PRATT. 

July  4  on  invitation  of  Bro.  H.  G.  Pratt,  Grand  Recorder, 
Bro.  E.  Lewis  and  myself  paid  him  a  visit  in  the  country, 
four  miles  from  Oakland.  We  mistook  the  station  that  we 
were  to  get  off  at  and  had  to  walk  two  miles,  but  I  enjoyed 
it,  as  we  passed  through  the  finest  rural  district  I  ever  be- 
held. We  remained  with  Brother  Pratt  until  the  6th,  and 
had  a  splendid  time.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th  we  re- 
turned to  San  Francisco.  Brother  Lewis  would  have  me 
stop  at  his  business  office.  He  presented  me  with  a  pair  of 
Congress  gaiters  and  slippers.  In  the  evening  we  visited 
Magnolia  and  one  other  Lodge,  which  was  very  interesting, 
and  I  believe  all  were  benefited  by  coming  together. 

July  7  we  visited  California  Lodge,  No.  i,  of  Oakland, 
and  addressed  the  meeting,  and  encouraged  them  to  con- 
tinue the  good  work  with  renewed  energy  until  every  good 
man  and  woman  should  be  brought  under  its  beneficial  in- 
fluences. At  nine  o'clock  we  returned  to  San  Francisco 
and  visited  Unity  Lodge.  I  talked  to  them  a  few  minutes, 
when  several  others  followed,  giving  new  interest  to  the 
meeting. 

VISITS   THE   OFFICE   OF   THE    "WATCHMAN." 

July  8  I  called  at  the  office  of  the  Pacific  States   Watch- 
man, and  was  introduced  to  the  employes,  who  had  been 
called  together,  and  I  gave  them  some  of  the  incidents  of 
our  early  history,  trials,  etc.     I  stated  some  of  the  many 
8 


114  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

blessings  that  had  been  dispensed  to  suffering  humanity. 
A  pot  of  earth  was  then  brought  in,  and  I  planted  a  black 
walnut  and  the  seed  of  the  large  pine  or  redwood  of  Cali- 
fornia, for  Master  Alfred  H.  Dewey,  which  I  trust  may 
spring  up  and  do  well.  I  then  went  to  the  office  of  Brother 
Jordan,  and  got  letters  from  home,  which  I  had  been  ex- 
pecting. In  the  evening  I  went  with  Brother  Jordan  to 
Oakland.  We  instituted  Upchurch  Legion,  No  9,  with 
seventeen  members.  There  is  a  deep  interest  taken  in  the 
work  of  the  Select  Knights,  and  it  will  be  the  means  of  add- 
ing many  good  men  to  the  roll  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  I  remained  overnight  at  the  residence 
of  Brother  Jordan. 

July  9  we  returned  to  San  Francisco,  and  I  visited  the 
office  of  Brother  Jordan;  took  lunch  at  the  restaurant  of 
Bro.  J.  A.  Guisti,  at  California  Market.  After  lunch. 
Brother  Guisti  conducted  me  to  the  macaroni  factory, 
which  was  something  I  had  not  seen ;  it  was  quite  a 
novelty.  On  leaving  here,  I  was  taken  to  the  champagne 
factory,  where,  I  suppose,  millions  of  gallons  of  wine  were 
stored.  The  basement  occupied  the  whole  of  one  square, 
including  the  streets,  which  had  been  excavated  and  arched 
for  the  purpose.  I  thought  that  it  would  be  many  years 
hence  before  California  would  adopt  prohibition.  We  then 
visited  Telegraph  Hill.  It  is  a  high  point  overlooking  both 
bay  and  city.  Here,  in  early  times,  a  watch  was  set  to  signal 
ships  coming  in  when  news  from  loved  ones  in  the  East  was 
expected.  To  reach  this  elevated  point  we  had  to  ascend 
an  inclined  plane  at  an  elevation  of  about  twenty  feet  to 
the  one  hundred,  or  a  total  elevation  of  two  hundred  and 
ninety-six  feet  in  the  length  of  a  cable  railroad  of  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  fifty  feet.     There  is  a  fine  ha,U  erected 


Visit  to  Stockton.  115 

on  this  point,  and  refreshments  kept  for  those  in  want  of 
them. 

In  the  evening  we  visited  Union  Lodge,  No.  29,  Degree 
of  Honor.  The  hall  was  well  filled  with  both  male  and  fe- 
male members.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  interest  mani- 
fested by  all.  A  number  of  speeches  were  delivered,  which 
were  entertaining  and  instructive,  and  all  present  seemed  to 
enjoy  the  exercises  to  the  utmost.  At  the  conclusion  of 
the  exercises,  the  Lodge  adjourned  to  the  banquet  hall, 
where  a  collation  was  served. 

visit   to    STOCKTON. 

July  10  Bro.  E.  M.  Reading,  Grand  Master  Workman 
McPherson,  and  myself,  visited  Stockton,  and  were  met  at 
the  depot  by  a  Committee  of  Reception,  and  taken  in  car- 
riages to  a  hotel.  In  the  afternoon  we  took  in  the  town  by 
visiting  the  large  manufacturing  establishments  and  the 
insane  asylum  for  males,  which  contains  about  seven  hun- 
dred patients.  The  buildings  are  fine,  convenient,  and,  no 
doubt,  managed  to  the  best  advantage.  In  the  evening  I 
was  tendered  a  warm  reception  by  the  Order,  at  the  Masonic 
Temple.  Master  Workman  Pritchard  occupied  the  chair, 
and  the  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Brother  Clem- 
ent, to  which  I  replied,  thanking  them  for  their  marked 
reception  and  cordial  greeting  on  this  occasion,  and  was 
followed  by  Grand  Master  Workman  Duncan  McPherson, 
who  gave  a  fine  oratorical  address  on  the  Aims  and  Objects 
of  the  Order  in  its  dissemination  of  bounties  to  the  needy. 
Brother  Reading  then  addressed  the  audience  in  his  usual 
style,  followed  by  music  by  the  band.  Following  this  came 
the  public  installation  of  the  officers  of  Stockton  Lodge, 
No.  23,  the  ceremony  being  conducted  by  District  Deputy 
E.  Lehi,  assisted  by  the  Grand  Officers.     After  the  cere- 


116  Life  of  Father  CJpchurch. 

mony  in  the  hall,  myself  and  Grand  Officers,  with  a  goodly 
number  of  brothers  and  their  ladies,  were  sumptuously  en- 
tertained, which  closed  the  evening's  exercises. 

On  the  nth  we  were  driven  to  the  female  asylum, 
which  contains  eight  hundred  inmates — some  quiet,  others 
boisterous.  The  buildings  are  spacious,  everything  being 
kept  as  neat  as  a  pin,  and  seems  to  be  managed  in  the  best 
possible  manner. 

VISITS    SACRAMENTO. 

At  noon  we  took  the  train  for  Sacramento.  A  committee 
was  in  waiting  at  the  depot,  who  placed  us  in  carriages  and 
took  us  to  the  hotel.  In  the  evening  the  reception  took 
place  in  the  commodious  hall  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  21, 
which  was  filled  with  brethren  of  the  Order  and  their  fami- 
lies. The  introductory  speech  was  made  by  Bro.  P.  M. 
Henry,  to  which  I  replied,  creating  a  favorable  impression 
upon  all.  I  was  followed  by  Grand  Master  McPherson  and 
Grand  Lecturer  Reading,  whose  addresses  were  received 
with  unmistakable  satisfaction.  The  officers  of  both  Union, 
No.  21,  and  Sacramento,  No  80,  were  instated;  and  then 
followed  recitations  and  music.  Miss  Annie  Ash,  Mrs.  Sam 
Katzenstein,  Mrs.  Al.  Pritchard,  and  Mrs.  Maggie  Moore, 
being  the  principal  performers.  A  magnificent  banquet  was 
partaken  of  at  the  close  of  the  exercises.  While  in  the  city 
I  received  the  following  letter,  which  will  explain  itself: — 

REQUESTING    HIS    AUTOGRAPH. 

"  1894  Broadway,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
"  J-  J-  Upchurch — Dear  Sir:  I  am  a  litde  girl,  and 
have,  for  the  past  two  years,  been  confined  to  the  house, 
under  medical  treatment  for  spinal  and  hip  disease.  I  pass 
most  of  my  time  collecting  the  autographs  of  celebrated 
people,  and  if  you  will  be  so  very  kind  as  to  send  me  your 


A  Prize  Poem.  117 


autograph,  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure.  I  inclose  a 
card  for  you  to  write  it  upon,  and  I  hope  you  will  pardon 
me  for  the  liberty  I  have  taken. 

**  Believe  me,  very  respectfully, 

Maria  Genevieve  Mee." 

The  interest  of  this  dear  little  girl  touched  my  heart 
deeply,  and  I  complied  with  her  request  with  pleasure, 
hoping  that  she  would  speedily  and  permanently  recover 
from  her  affliction. 

[From  the  Watdunan  of  June  9.] 
PRIZE    POEM. 

"  Upchurch  Prize  Poem  Offer. — In  view  of  the  inter- 
est aroused  by  the  near  approaching  visit  of  Father  Up- 
church,  the  Watchman  wishes  to  encourage  the  ambition  of 
our  local  poets  having  a  fraternal  tendency,  to  produce 
something  in  the  way  of  literature  that  will  be  intrinsically 
valuable  and  worthily  commemorate  the  visit  among  us  of 
the  founder  of  the  Order. 

"Accordingly,  we  make  the  following  offer:  To  anyone 
who  will  send  us,  by  July  4,  the  best  poem  on  Father  Up- 
church,  not  to  exceed  sixty  lines,  we  will  give  an  order  on 
the  well-known  and  extensive  book-selling  establishment  of 
A.  L.  Bancroft  &  Co.,  of  this  city,  for  twenty  dollars,  paya- 
ble in  books  or  similar  articles  from  their  choice  and  well- 
selected  literary  stock.  Poems  may  be  either  in  rhyme  or 
blank  verse.  An  intelligent  and  impartial  committee  will 
decide  on  the  merits  of  the  poems. 

"Those  competing  will  please  sign  a  710m  de plume,  and 
inclose  real  name  and  address  in  a  separate  envelope,  to  be 
opened  after  the  award.  We  trust  that  the  returns  will  be 
as  satisfactory  for  this  offer  as  they  were  for  our  prize  poems 
on  *  Fraternity,'  published  last  year. 

"  An  admiring  friend  adds  a  five-dollar  cash  donation  to 
the  above.  We  will  extend  the  time  for  receipt  of  the 
poem  to  the  8th  of  July,  which  will  be  in  time  to  publish  it 
for  our  next  issue,  on  the  nth." 


118  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"  The  following  poem  has  been  adjudged  to  be  entitled  to 
the  prize  offered  by  the  Watc/unan  for  the  best  poetical  pro- 
duction on  Father  Upchurch.  The  prize  consists  of  an 
order  on  A.  L.  Bancroft  &  Co.,  for  twenty  dollars,  payable  in 
books,  and  five  dollars  in  cash,  payable  at  this  office  on  be- 
half of  a  friend  who  donated  the  amount  additional." 


FATHER"   UPCHURCH. 


A.   O.   U.    W.    PRIZE    POEM. 


BY    SAM    BOOTH. 


The  minstrel  bards  of  ancient  days, 

To  arms  and  war  attuned  their  lays. 

They  sang  their  heroes'  glorious  deeds — 

The  clash  of  arms,  the  rush  of  steeds. 

The  clang  of  steel,  the  cannon's  roar, 

And  fair  fields  dyed  with  human  gore; 

They  sang  of  kings,  whose  palace  stood 

An  island  in  a  sea  of  blood, 

Whose  wild  ambition  led  them  on 

To  ''wade  through  slaughter  to  a  throne;" 

Of  warriors,  who  to  greatness  rose 

Over  a  hecatomb  of  foes, 

Who,  that  they  might  be  great  and  free, 

Ground  nations  down  to  slavery. 

But  wounds  and  death  and  all  the  wrack 

Of  desolation  in  the  track 

Of  horrid  war,  no  pen  or  tongue 

Gilds  with  the  glamour  of  a  song. 

The  smiling  fields  that  bloomed  so  fair, 

The  cheerful  homes  burnt  black  and  bare. 

The  widow's  tear,  the  orphan's  cry, 

Alas  !  are  passed  unnoted  by. 

Be  mine  the  privilege  to  rehearse 

(Albeit  in  the  humblest  verse) 


A.  O.  U.  W.  Prize  Poem.  119 

The  praises  of  a  crownless  king, — 

The  blessings  peace  and  love  can  bring. 

No  warrior  he,  with  lance  and  shield, 

Thirsting  for  fame  on  tented  field; 

But  one  whose  aim  it  was  to  bind 

In  bonds  fraternal  all  mankind. 

While  England  boasts  of  Howard's  fame, 

And  France  still  sings  her  Hugo's  name, 

Americans  in  Upchurch  see 

The  "  Father  "  of  Fraternity, 

Who  shunned  the  wrathful  ways  of  strife, 

And  walked  the  peaceful  paths  of  life; 

Brother  and  Sire,  whose  virtues  lend 

New  luster  to  the  name  of  Friend. 

No  portents  heralded  his  birth. 

His  only  heritage,  honest  worth; 

Nor  did  the  smiles  of  Fortune  shed 

A  golden  aureole  round  his  head; 

To  learning  he  makes  no  pretense, 

His  genius  is  just  common  sense. 

In  youth  and  manhood  simply  bred 

To  daily  toil  for  daily  bread. 

But  over  all  the  ills  that  wait 

On  lowly  birth  or  adverse  fate, 

His  regal  soul  superior  rose 

In  sympathy  with  all  life's  woes. 

His  grand  ambition  was  to  be 

Of  service  to  humani4:y; 

His  great  life  problem:  how  he  could 

Unite  mankind  in  brotherhood. 

How  grandly  he  hath  wrought  and  well. 

Let  Knights  and  Friends  and  Workmen  tell — 

A  hundred  thousand  men  who  greet 

In  each  a  Brother  when  they  meet; 

A  thousand  widows'  thankful  tears. 

Ten  thousand  orphans'  daily  prayers, 

All  these  attest  the  grateful  sense 

Of  his  benign  beneficence. 

Hail!  then,  dear  '=  Father,"  Brother,  Friend, 


120  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

To  you  our  hearts  in  homage  bend. 
No  monument  of  sculptor's  dream 
Could  raise  you  in  our  high  esteem. 
And  far  above  all  praise  or  blame 
Is  he,  beneath  whose  honored  name 
The  Recording  Angel's  pen  shall  trace: 
"  The  Benefactor  of  the  race." 

"Our  offer  has  fortunately  proved  opportune.  Other 
creditable  poems  have  been  received,  some  of  which  we 
shall  give  hereafter,  by  consent  of  the  authors,  who  are 
worthy  of  commendation  by  all  for  their  noble  efforts." 

VIEWING   SACRAMENTO. 

July  12  we  were  driven  around  the  city  and  shown  the 
most  interesting  places.  First  the  capitol,  which  is  a  mag- 
nificent building.  In  the  rotunda  is  the  statue  of  Queen 
Isabella,  of  Spain,  with  Columbus  and  his  son  kneeling 
before  her.  This  building  stands  on  an  eminence  in  the 
center  of  the  large  and  cultivated  park.  Near  by  is  the 
Mechanical  Pavilion,  which  will  accommodate  nine  thou- 
sand persons.  It  is  used  for  the  exhibition  of  the  arts  and 
sciences,  and  other  like  purposes.  The  next  place  of  inter- 
est was  the  Art  Gallery,  a  splendid  structure,  containing  a 
rare  collection  of  the  finest  paintings,  which  was  donated  to 
the  city  by  Mrs.  Judge   Crocker,  a  widow  lady  of  the  city. 

We  were  next  driven  through  the  Public  Park  and  Fair 
Grounds,  which  are  in  keeping  with  the  public  spirit  and 
energy  of  Californians. 

In  the  evening  I  visited  Pat.  Connor,  formerly  of  Mead- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  hurt  on  the  Central  Pacific 
Railroad.  He  has  been  somewhat  out  of  his  mind  ever 
since  he  was  hurt,  but  he  recognized  me  as  soon  as  he  saw 
me.  He  belonged  to  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


Visiting  a  Masonic  Lodge.  121 

July  13  I  took  the  train  for  San  Francisco,  at  half  past  seven 
o'clock  A.  M.  At  Port  Costa  the  Central  Pacific  Company 
runs  and  operates  the  largest  ferry-boat  I  have  ever  seen. 
It  is  capable  of  taking,  at  one  load,  a  locomotive  and  twen- 
ty-eight long  passenger  cars,  or  forty-eight  freight  cars.  The 
cylinders  are  five  by  eleven  feet,  and  it  is  said  to  be  the 
largest  boat  in  the  world. 

VISITING    A    MASONIC    LODGE. 

Reached  San  Francisco  at  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  in 
the  evening  visited  King  Solomon  Lodge  of  Masons,  with 
Bro.  E.  Lewis.  The  Lodge  was  well  attended,  and  after 
examination  by  committee,  was  admitted  to  a  seat  in  the 
Lodge.  Raised  one  member  to  the  sublime  degree  of  a 
Master  Mason. 

July  14,  in  the  evening,  Brother  Poland  and  myself 
visited  Triumph  Lodge  of  Workmen.  The  Lodge  was  well 
attended,  and  the  members  were  very  much  interested  in 
the  work  of  the  Order.  I  spoke  a  short  time,  and  my 
remarks  seemed  to  be  appreciated. 

July  15  the  Grand  Foreman  and  myself  took  dinner  at 
the  residence  of  Brother  Poland,  whose  hospitality  was 
very  much  enjoyed  by  myself  In  the  evening  I  visited 
District  No.  5,  with  No.  136.  The  meeting  was  largely  at- 
tended, and,  after  an  address  of  welcome,  I  was  introduced, 
and  spoke  to  them  on  the  rise  and  progress  of  our  Trder,  and 
the  opposition  and  difficulties  we  had  to  overcome  to  get 
the  work  before  the  people.  I  was  followed  by  W.  H.  Jor- 
dan, Supreme  Overseer,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Wm. 
H.  Barnes,  and  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Brewer,  who 
addressed  the  audience  in  a  grand  and  convincing  strain  of 
eloquence,  so  much  so  that  they  were  frequently  interrupted 
by  a  deafening  roar  of  applause. 


1^2  LiFfi  OF  Father  tJpcHURCH. 

GOES   TO  NAPA. 

July  1 6  with  Brothers  Barnes,  Severance,  and  Poland,  I 
left  San  Francisco  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.  for  Napa;  arrived 
at  Vallejo  Junction,  took  the  boat  and  crossed  the  Straits  of 
Carquinez;  again  boarded  the  train  and  reached  Napa  at 
half  past  six  o'clock,  where  a  committee  was  in  waiting  at 
the  depot  who  escorted  us  to  the  Palace  Hotel.  After 
supper,  members  of  the  Order  formed  and  marched  to  the 
hotel  and  escorted  us  to  the  Grand  Opera  House,  which 
was  well  hlled.  After  music,  the  address  of  welcome  by 
Bro.  H.  C  Cesford  was  delivered,  to  which  I  replied  in 
my  usual  common,  plain  way.  Brethren  Severance  and 
Barnes  addressed  the  audience,  and  were  received  with 
rounds  of  applause,  Brother  Barnes  being  called  out  the 
second  time.  Sam  Booth's  "  Prize  Poem "  was  read  by 
Henry  Hogan,  and  the  whole  was  a  grand  success,  as  had 
been  my  receptions  throughout  the  entire  Jurisdiction.  At 
the  close  of  the  exercises,  a  fine  collation  was  served  at  the 
Palace  Hotel,  which  wound  up  the  evening's  festivities.  A 
year  before  my  visit  here,  I  was  elected  to  membership  in 
the  Past  Master  Workman's  Association,  and  on  my  arrival 
the  badge  of  the  association  was  presented  to  me. 

July  17  Brother  Smith  gave  Brother  Poland  and  myself  a 
carriage  ride  through  Napa  Valley.  Our  first  stop  was  at 
the  water-works.  They  have  fine  pumping  machinery. 
The  engineer  said  that  in  digging  for  water  they  struck  an 
underground  river.  On  going  up  the  side  of  the  mountain, 
on  our  way  to  the  Napa  Soda  Springs,  a  large  jack  rabbit 
bounced  into  the  road,  and  I  thought  it  was  a  gray  wblf 
until  better  informed.  The  Springs  are  fourteen  miles  from 
the  city,  and  it  is  a  charming  summer  resort;  a  fine  hotel  of 
stone,  and  a  number  of  neat  cottages  for  visitors  are  here; 


Goes  to  Napa.  123 


also  numerous  fine  walks,  with  the  many  fragrant,  as  well  as 
beautiful,  flowers  for  which  California  is  noted.  There  are 
several  kinds  of  mineral  waters  here,  and  in  a  room  there 
are  several  men  employed  bottling  soda  water,  with  natural 
gas,  as  it  comes  from  the  mountain,  and  it  is  shipped  to  all 
parts  of  the  country.  On  leaving  the  Springs,  we  made  for 
the  main  valley,  and  took  lunch  with  a  Mr.  Gray,  seven 
miles  from  St.  Helena,  and  fourteen  miles  from  Napa.  Mr. 
Gray  said  that  the  yield  of  grapes  this  year  would  be  about 
three  tons  per  acre,  the  best  yield  being  ten  tons  per  acre. 
They  sell  for  twenty-five  to  thirty-five  dollars  per  ton.  Fifteen 
dollars  per  ton  pays  better  than  raising  wheat.  He  last 
year  sold  fifteen  hundred  dollar's  worth  of  grapes  that  cost 
him  only  seventy-five  dollars  to  tend  and  market.  On  leav- 
ing Mr.  Gray's,  we  started  down  the  Napa  Valley.  I  saw 
large  orchards  of  English  walnuts  and  almonds,  and  about 
thirty  thousand  acres  of  grapes.  This  is  the  finest  valley 
that  I  ever  saw,  and  it  occurred  to  me  that  this  must  have 
been  the  Garden  of  Eden,  at  least  had  I  an  opportunity,  I 
think  it  would  satisfy  my  desire  to  wander  in  it.  We  re- 
turned to  Napa  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.,  just  in  time  to  take 
the  train  for  Vallejo,  where  we  were  met  at  the  depot  by 
a  committee  and  conducted  to  the  hotel.  In  the  even- 
ing we  were  escorted  to  the  Grand  Opera  House,  which 
was  well  filled  wnth  members  of  the  Order,  their  families 
and  friends.  The  audience  was  entertained  with  fine  music, 
both  vocal  and  instrumental.  On  being  introduced,  I  ad- 
dressed them,  pointing  out  some  of  the  beauties  of  our 
Order,  and  the  many  blessings  that  had  been  conferred 
upon  the  widow  and  orphan.  Brother  Poland  followed, 
giving  some  excellent  advice  to  the  members  in  building  up 
the  Order.     This  city  has  about  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants, 


124       Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

and  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the  Straits  of  Carquinez.     The 
United  States  Government  has  its  navy  yard  here. 

GOES  TO  SANTA  CRUZ. 

July  1 8  we  left  Vallejo  at  eight  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  arrived 
at  San  Francisco  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  Visited  the  offices  of 
Brothers  Danforth  and  Jordan,  and  at  two  o'clock  p.  m. 
Brother  Poland  and  myself  took  train  for  Santa  Cruz.  We 
passed  through  several  little  towns;  at  Big  Tree  Station  saw 
some  large  redwood  trees,  but  did  not  stop. 

[From  the  Watchjnan  of  July  25.] 
FATHER    UPCHURCH  AT  SANTA   CRUZ. 

"Last  Saturday  night,  the  i8th,  the  Workmen  of  Santa 
Cruz  and  vicinity  had  an  opportunity  to  testify  their  admi- 
ration and  respect  for  Father  Upchurch,  which  they  did  in  a 
royal  manner  and  in  a  style  that  did  credit  to  the  home  of 
the  Grand  Master  Workman  of  the  State.  The  venerable 
veteran  was  met  at  the  depot  of  the  South  Pacific  Coast 
Railroad  by  the  Reception  Committee,  and  with  a  team  of 
four  white  horses,  driven  to  the  residence  of  Grand  .Master 
Workman  Duncan  McPherson,  and  then  to  the  Opera 
House,  where  a  large  concourse  of  citizens  had  assembled. 
An  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Dr.  O.  L.  Gordon, 
who  referred  in  eulogistic  terms  to  the  guest  of  the  evening, 
Grand  Master  McPherson  followed  in  an  introductory  speech 
that  was  full  of  good  things  for  the  laws  of  the  Order,  closing 
by  presenting  Father  Upchurch  to  the  audience  in  the  follow- 
ing glowing  sentence:  '  Mr.  President,  to  you  and  through  you 
to  the  Brothers  here  assembled,  and  this  audience,  I  have  the 
pleasure  of  introducing  the  Workman's  Abou  Ben  Adhem, 
the  founder  of  the  "  Poor  Man's  Insurance,"  the  widow's 
support,  and  the  orphan's  help,  and  whose  name  in  letters 
of  Fraternal  light  will  be  written  by  the  angel  of  charity  high 
above  all  other  human  benefactors.'  The  response  of  the 
founder  was  brief,  but   full  of  feeling.     He  sketched  the 


Visits  Watsonville.  125 

rise  of  the  Order,  and  added  that  he  should  always  remem- 
ber California  and  his  warm-hearted  brother  Workman  with 
the  deepest  gratitude. 

"  The  principal  address  of  the  evening  was  delivered  by 
Bro.  Adam  Bane,  of  San  Jose,  and  it  is  described  as  the 
finest  effort  ever  heard  in  Santa  Cruz.  After  music,  the 
programme  was  closed  by  a  repast  at  Aonian  Hall,  provided 
by  the  ladies  of  Workman  families.  The  whole  affair  did 
the  brethren  of  the  little  city  by  the  sea  great  credit." 

July  19  Grand  Master  McPherson  and  myself  walked 
down  to  the  beach,  which  is  a  magnificent  resort  for  those 
seeking  health  as  well  as  pleasure.  There  are  a  great  many 
cottages  and  tents  for  the  accommodation  of  visitors.  In 
the  afternoon  I  was  driven  around  the  city  and  out  to  old 
ocean;  then  out  in  the  country.  The  whole  scene  was  one 
of  beauty.  My  sojourn  here  was  attended  with  a  great 
deal  of  pleasure,  which  I  shall  ever  remember  with  gratitude, 
especially  toward  the  Grand  Master  Workman  and  his 
estimable  family. 

visits  watsonville. 

July  20  Grand  Master  Workman  McPherson  and  myself 
took  the  train  for  Watsonville,  where  Lodge  No.  45  gave  us 
an  appropriate  and  most  cordial  reception.  A  delegation 
met  us  at  the  depot,  and  escorted  us  to  the  Mansion  House. 
At  seven  o'clock  about  sixty  members,  visiting  brethren, 
Grand  Master  McPherson,  and  myself,  met  in  the  Lodge- 
room,  and  after  the  business  of  the  Lodge  had  been  trans- 
acted, a  short  time  was  taken  up  with  congratulatory  speeches, 
after  which  a  procession  was  formed,  and  marched  to  the 
rink,  where  a  large  audience  was  anxiously  waiting  our 
coming.  After  an  overture  by  the  band,  Deputy  Friermuth 
introduced  Doctor  Bigsley,  who  delivered  a  finely-worded 
address  of  welcome,  to  which  I  replied,  followed  by  Grand 


126  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Master  McPherson,  who  spoke  with  earnestness  and  en- 
thusiasm, and  was  listened  to  with  satisfaction  by  a  large 
audience  of  members,  their  families,  and  invited  guests. 
The  exercises  being  through,  all  then  repaired  to  the 
hall,  where  a  fine  spread  was  in  waiting,  which  was  partaken 
of  with  pleasure.  After  a  social  time  of  two  hours  we  re- 
turned to  the  hotel. 

July  21,  in  the  morning,  the  committee,  in  carriages,  took 
us  to  the  beach.  After  viewing  the  cottages,  etc.,  we  drove 
to  the  strawberry  ranches,  which  are  immense  in  size  both  of 
territory  and  berries.  A  gentleman  told  me  that  he  had 
gathered  berries  eight  inches  in  circumference.  In  the 
afternoon  we  took  the  train  for  San  Jose,  and  were  met  by 
a  committee  before  reaching  the  city. 

[From  the  Pacijic  States  Watchman  of  July  25.] 

GRAND   OVATION    TO  THE    FATHER  OF   THE    ANCIENT    ORDER 
OF    UNITED    WORKMEN    AT    SAN    JOSE. 

"  No  finer  public  demonstration  in  honor  of  any  man 
was  ever  witnessed  in  the  Garden  City,  than  the  welcome 
extended  to  Father  Upchurch  there  last  Tuesday  evening, 
the  2 1  St  inst.  The  enterprising  home  Lodges,  Mt.  Hamil- 
ton, No.  43,  and  Enterprise,  No.  17,  earnestly  seconded  by 
Magnolia,  No.  6,  Degree  of  Honor,  had  long  been  prepar- 
ing for  the  event,  and  none  of  the  Lodges  of  the  county 
had  been  behind  in  furthering  the  work.  The  welcome 
amounted  to  an  ovation  that  did  honor  to  the  noble  Work- 
men of  Santa  Clara  County,  and  was  one  that  Father  Up- 
church can  never  recall  without  feelings  of  warm  gratitude 
and  pleasure.  Following  the  grand  tribute  paid  him  by  his 
brethren  of  San  Francisco  and  Alameda  Counties,  as  well 
as  by  those  of  other  points  in  the  State  since  visited,  the 
San  Jose  reception  must  have  conclusively  proven  to  the 
founder  of  the  Order,  if  that  were  needed,  that  the  Work- 
men of  California  appreciated  to  the  fullest  extent  their 
obligations  to  him. 


Grand  Ovation  at  San  Jose.  127 

"  Father  Upchurch  was  met  at  the  depot  by  a  large  num- 
ber of  members  of  the  Santa  Clara  County  Lodges.  He 
was  accompanied  by  an  escort  of  Select  Knights  from  San 
Francisco  Legion,  No.  2,  and  Upchurch  Legion,  No.  9,  of 
Oakland,  who,  with  members  of  their  families  and  lady 
friends,  had  gone  down  to  participate  in  the  ceremonies. 
A  procession  was  formed  to  conduct  the  distinguished  vis- 
itor to  his  hotel,  which  was  composed  of  brethren  from  a 
dozen  different  Lodges,  besides  Grand  Officers  McPherson, 
Jordan,  Murgotten,  Danforth,  and  Loud,  in  carriages,  Se- 
lect Knights  and  members.  The  founder  was  drawn  in  a 
four-in-hand  carriage.  The  cavalcade  presented  a  fine  ap- 
pearance, the  knights  forming  a  striking  feature  thereof. 

"  The  reception  in  the  evening  took  place  at  the  Cali- 
fornia Theater,  the  interior  of  which  had  been  decorated  in 
a  very  beautiful  manner  with  flowers  in  all  manner  of  de- 
vices, the  work  of  the  ladies  of  Magnolia  Lodge,  Degree  of 
Honor.  The  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Brother 
Adam  Bane,  of  Mt.  Hamilton,  and  at  its  conclusion  the 
entire  audience  arose  and  gave,  six  times,  three  cheers  for 
the  honored  guest  of  the  evening. 

"  As  he  arose  to  acknowledge  the  ovation,  a  string  was 
pulled  that  loosed  upon  his  head,  from  a  beam,  a  perfect 
shower  of  flowers,  while  more  than  two  hundred  bouquets 
were  thrown  and  placed  on  the  stage  in  the  way  of  floral 
offerings,  and  nothing  could  have  been  finer.  After  Father 
Upchurch's  response,  which  was  in  his  usual  quiet  vein, 
eloquent  speeches  were  made  by  Past  Grand  Master  Work- 
man William  H.  Jordan,  of  Oakland,  Rev.  J.  H.  Ingram, 
of  San  Jose,  Grand  Master  McPherson,  and  M.  T.  Brewer. 
There  were  also  recitations,  musical  selections,  etc.,  and  the 
exercises  concluded  with  a  splendid  banquet  and  dance." 

I  must  confess  that  I  was  completely  surprised,  not  an- 
ticipating anything  like  such  a  demonstration.  I  felt  like 
one  born  out  of  season,  not  being  able  to  express  my 
gratitude  and  appreciation  for  the  marked  respect  that  was 
paid  to  me.     It  shows  conclusively  that  the  people  here,  as 


128  Life  of  Father  CJpchurch. 

well  as  in  other  parts  of  the  Jurisdiction,  appreciate  my 
labors  in  the  interests  of  humanity.  Fraternity  seems  to 
predominate. 

They  are  alive  to  the  best  interest  of  the  Order,  render- 
ing relief  to  the  widows  and  orphans,  and  assisting  the 
members  to  assist  themselves.  The  banquet  hall  had  been 
prepared  to  seat  four  hundred  guests,  the  tables  being 
supplied  with  all  the  good  things  that  this  favored  land  affords. 
One  thousand  and  six  hundred  partook  of  refreshments,  and 
many  baskets  were  left  untouched. 

July  22  a  committee  took  Brother  McPherson  and  my- 
self to  drive  around  the  city.  We  went  out  to  Mineral 
Springs,  a  fine  drive  through  a  magnificent  country,  loom- 
ing up  in  all  ks  romantic  beauty.  In  the  afternoon  we 
drove  out  to  the  silk  factory;  saw  them  at  work  manufactur- 
ing the  fabric  in  its  various  forms.  From  here  we  drove  over 
the  city,  and  had  a  fine  view  from  the  dome  of  the  Court 
House.  The  view  is  grand,  and  well  may  it  be  called  the 
Garden  City.  It  might  very  appropriately  be  termed  the 
garden  of  the  world. 

In  the  evening  we  visited  the  hall  of  Hamilton  Lodge, 
No.  43,  and  Enterprise,  No.  17,  and  after  going  through 
with  the  business  of  the  evening,  several  very  instructive 
speeches  were  made.  Upon  the  whole  we  had  a  grand 
time. 

[From  the  Pacific  States  Watchman  of  July  25,^1885.] 
PRESENTATION. 

"  On  Wednesday  evening,  the  2 2d  inst,  during  the  prog- 
ress of  a  Lodge  meeting,  in  the  hall  of  Mt.  Hamilton 
Lodge,  San  Jose,  Wm.  Vintner,  Past  Master  Workman,  in 
an  eloquent  and  pleasing  speech,  presented  Father  Up- 
church,  in  behalf  of  Enterprise,  No.  17,  and  Mt.  Hamilton, 


Goes  to  Livermore.  129 

No.  43,  with  an  elegant,  gold-headed  cane,  the  staff  being 
a  rare  orange  limb,  and  the  handle  inlaid  with  quartz,  and 
engraved  as  follows: — 

"Presented  to  Father  J.  J.  Upchurch  by  Enterprise 
Lodge,  No.  17,  and  Mount  Hamilton  Lodge,  No.  43, 
A.  d  U.  W.,  San  Jose,  California,  July  22,  1885. 

^'  This  magnificent  cane  was  manufactured  by  Bro.  Ed- 
ward B.  Lewis,  one  of  the  leading  jewelers  of  San  Jose,  and 
its  chaste,  unique,  and  artistic  design  reflects  great  credit 
on  the  designer  and  manufacturer.  Brother  Vintner,  m  his 
speech,  pointed  with  good  effect  the  triumphs  of  peace  as 
compared  with  those  secured  by  the  warrior.  In  an  im- 
passioned manner  he  pointed  with  pride  to  Father  Up- 
church  as  one  of  the  great  organizers  in  the  interests  of 
humanity  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Father  Upchurch 
received  the  testimonial  with  evident  satisfaction,  and  in  a 
fervid   and   emotional   manner,    thanked   them,   for   it." 

This  beautiful  present  I  cherish  very  highly,  and  it  will  be 
retained  by  me  in  remembrance  of  the  noble-hearted  Broth- 
ers who  presented  it.  I  trust  that  happiness  and  prosperity 
may  attend  them  through  life. 

GOES   TO   LIVERMORE. 

July  23  arrived  at  Livermore  at  ten  a.  m.,  and  stopped  at 
the  Livermore  House.  After  dinner  took  a  carriage  and 
drove  into  the  country;  saw  many  fine  vineyards;  visited  a 
winery  under  construction,  that  was  being  made  of  concrete. 
In  the  evening,  the  members  of  the  Order  formed  in  line 
and  marched  to  the  Rink,  where  Grand  Master  McPherson, 
W.  H.  Jordan,  Brother  Smith  and  myself  delivered 
addresses.  We  had  a  large  audience  of  both  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  and  great  interest  was  taken  in  the  work  of  the 
Order.  I  trust  that  much  good  may  result  from  their  meet- 
ings. 


130  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

back  to  san  francisco. 

July  24  reached  San  Francisco  at  nine  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and 
called  at  the  office  of  Brother  Jordan  for  mail.  In  the 
evening  I  attended  District  meeting,  No.  4,  with  Verba 
Buena,  No.  36,  and  four  other  Lodges  in  attendance. 
Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  myself,  and 
several  other  Brothers  addressed  the  meeting,  I  think  with 
profit  to  those  present.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  meeting, 
and  after  the  close  of  the  exercises,  I  returned  to  the  hotel 
at  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  p.  m. 

VISITS    THE    PIONEER    WOOLEN    MILLS. 

July  25,  having  been  invited  to  visit  the  Pioneer  Woolen 
Mills,  I  did  so  in  the  morning,  accompanied  by  Grand 
Foreman  Danforth  and  Brother  Hoag,  a  representative  of 
the  Pacific  States  iVatcJunan.  On  entering  the  office  I  was 
introduced  to  Brother  Piatt,  the  superintendent  of  the  mill; 
was  in  the  office  about  half  an  hour,  when  the  employes  of 
the  mill — members  of  the  Order — came  in  to  the  number 
of  twenty.  I  was  introduced  to  each  of  them;  and  the 
superintendent,  in  behalf  of  the  Workmen  of  the  mill, 
presented  me  with  a  splendid  pair  of  blankets,  with  "  Up- 
church  "  woven  across  the  center.  He  stated  that  they 
were  of  the  best  material  and  workmanship  that  could  be 
had,  and  cost  fifty  dollars,  and  that  the  Queen  of  England 
could  not  get  any  better.  He  also  stated  that  each  of  the 
Workmen  contributed  his  part  of  the  labor  in  producing 
them.  I  replied,  accepting  the  present  with  many  thanks, 
assuring  them  that  they  would  be  kept  in  remembrance  of 
the  generous-hearted  Workmen  from  whom  they  were  re- 
ceived. Brother  Danforth  then  made  a  few  appropriate 
remarks.     After   the  business  of  the  office  was   over,  we 


Visits  Golden  Dawn,  D.  of  H.  131 

were  conducted  through  the  mill  by  the  gentlemanly  super- 
intendent, who  took  a  great  deal  of  pains  in  explaining  the 
different  processes  of  manufacture.  When  through  at  the 
mill,  we  repaired  to  the  residence  of  Brother  Piatt,  and 
after  an  introduction  to  his  amiable  wife  and  daughter,  par- 
took of  a  bountiful  repast.  In  the  afternoon  I  accompanied 
young  Mr.  Poland  to  Woodward's  Zoological  Gardens.  In 
the  museum  were  many  fine  specimens  of  birds,  beasts, 
reptiles,  fish,  etc. 

VISITS    GOLDEN    DAWN,    DEGREE    OF    HONOR. 

In  the  evening,  Golden  Dawn  Lodge,  Degree  of  Honor, 
invited  me  to  be  present  at  their  regular  semi-monthly  meet- 
ing, with  the  Grand  Officers  of  this  Jurisdiction,  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman  William  H.  Barnes,  Grand  Foreman 
Danforth,  Grand  Lecturer  Reading,  Deputy  Grand  Master 
Poland,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  Payson,  the  install- 
ing officers,  and  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  McDonald. 
During  the  installation  ceremony  the  chairs  were  occupied 
as  follows:  Past  Grand  Master  Upchurch,  Grand  Master 
Payson,  Grand  Foreman  Barnes,  Grand  Overseer  Danforth, 
Grand  Guide  McDonald.  After  installation,  a  musical 
selection  for  two  violins,  two  cornets,  and  piano  was  ren- 
dered by  Golden  Dawn  Band,  and  a  piano  solo  by  Miss 
Danforth.  Bro.  S.  F.  Poland  officiated  as  Master  of  Cere- 
monies. Then  Bro.  Sam.  Booth  was  called  upon  to  extend 
the  welcome  and  hospitalities  of  Golden  Dawn  Lodge  to 
their  honored  guest,  which  he  did  in  his  usual  happy  man- 
ner. By  universal  request,  Brother  Barnes,  in  his  inimita- 
ble style,  sang  a  couple  of  humorous  songs.  The  guest 
and  Lodge  members  were  then  invited  to  the  supper-room, 
where  a  bountiful  collation  had  been  duly  laid,  and   when 


132  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

ample  justice  had  been  done  to  this  part  of  the  entertain- 
ment, Brothers  Barnes,  Danforth,  McDonald,  and  myself 
were  called  upon  for  remarks,  all  responding  in  brief 
speeches.  Brother  Booth  put  his  response  in  the  shape  of 
the  following  song: — 


GOLDEN  DAWN'S  GREETING  TO  FATHER  UPCHURCH. 


I'll  sing  to  you  a  modern  song,  made  by  a  modern  pate, 
Of  an  antiquated  Workman  with  a  very  small  estate; 
Who  earned  a  modest  livelihood  in  Pennsylvania  State, 
And  comes  to  see  his  children,  living  by  the  Golden  Gate — 

This  fine  American  gentleman  all  of  the  modern  time. 

When  he  was  born  no  songs  were  sung,  no  flattering  things 

were  said; 
Nor  did  kind  fortune  on  his  path  her  bounteous  blessings 

shed; 
Nor  was  the  realm  of  knowledge  to  his   youthful   vision 

spread, 
But  every  day  he  had  to  say  he'd  earned  his  daily  bread — 

Like  a  fine  American  gentleman,  etc. 

As   one  by  one  the  years  rolled  on,  he  grew  to  man's  es- 
tate, 
And  then,  no  doubt,  he  cast  about  until  he  found  his  mate. 
Then,  like  a  loyal  citizen,  he  began  to  populate 
The  State  of  Pennsylvania  at  a  very  rapid  rate — 

Like  a  fine  American  gentleman,  etc. 

To  keep  his  numerous  family  well  clothed,  and  housed, 

and  fed. 
And  make  provision  for  them  'gainst  the  time  when  he  was 

dead, 


Visit  to  Woodland,  133 

A  mutual  protection  plan  kept  running  through  his  head, 
And  lo  !  our  ''Ancient  Order  "  on  its  glorious  mission  sped. 

From  this  fine  xVmerican  gentleman,  etc. 

From  State  to  State  the  Order  spread  among  the  great  and 

small. 
And  Lodges  organized  in  every  city  and  town  hall; 
And  thousands  of  good  citizens  to  join  them  got  a  call, 
And  look  on   '  Father  Upchurch '  as  the  Daddy  of  them 

all— 

This  fine  American  gentleman,  etc. 

But  not  alone  the  Brethern  come  their  filial  love  to  pay, 
The  Sisters  of  the  Order  too,  would  like  a  word  tosay; 
And  Golden  Dawn  extends  to-night  her  hospitality 
And  loving  greeting  to  the  Father  of  Fraternity — 

This  fine  American  gentleman  all  of  the  modern  time. 

At  a  late  hour  the  festivities  were  concluded,  and  the 
ladies  of  Golden  Dawn,  Degree  of  Honor,  No.  lo,  did 
themselves  great  honor,  and  afforded  their  guest  great 
pleasure,  by  their  cordial  reception  and  pleasant  entertain- 
ment. 

July  26  attended  meeting  of  Picnic  Committee,  and  took 
dinner  with  Brother  Whitten. 

July  27  called  at  the  office  of  Brother  Jordan  for  mail,  and 
wrote  home,  notifying  them  of  the  shipment  of  blankets. 
In  the  afternoon,  visited,  with  Brother  Reading,  the  pano- 
rama of  the  Battle  of  Waterloo.  The  sight  filled  me  with 
sadness,  everything  was  gotten  up  so  very  natural.  It  is  a 
grand  painting.  In  the  evening,  went  to  California  Theater 
with  Brothers  Loud  and  Danforth. 

VISIT   TO    WOODLAND. 

"  The  reception  of  Father  Upchurch  at  this  place,  July 
28,  by  the  various  Lodges  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 


1.34  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Workmen  of  this  county,  was  a  grand  success,  notwithstand- 
ing the  fact  that  many  of  the  members  are  at  present  out  of 
town.  The  distinguished  guest  arrived  on  the  quarter  to 
three  o'clock,  p.  m.,  train,  with  Brother  Danforth,  and  was 
met  at  the  depot  by  the  Reception  Committee,  and  taken 
to  the  Byrnes  Hotel,  where  rooms  had  been  engaged.  Soon 
many  of  the  prominent  citizens,  members  of  the  Order,  and 
tbwose  who  were  not,  called  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  pio- 
neer Workman,  and  welcome  him  to  the  Sylvan  City. 
After  introduction  and  hand-shaking,  our  carriages  were 
ordered,  and  the  party  spent  a  pleasant  hour  driving  about 
the  city.  Father  Upchurch  expressed  himself  much  pleased 
at  the  indications  of  thrift  and  prosperity  visible  on  every 
hand. 

"The  grand  event,  however,  was  the  reception  at  the 
Masonic  Hall,  in  the  evening.  The  hall,  which  in  itself  is 
a  model  of  beauty  and  would  do  credit  to  a  city  many 
times  larger  than  Woodland,  was  beautifully  decorated  for 
the  occasion  by  a  committee  of  ladies,  consisting  of  Mrs. 
J.  Westlake,  Mrs.  G  M.  Bently,  and  Mrs.  H.  Ervin.  The 
artistic  manner  in  which  the  hall  was  decorated  was  sufficient 
evidence  of  those  ladies'  taste.  Conspicuous  among  the 
decorations  was  a  fine  picture  of  the  honorable  founder  of 
our  beloved  Order,  encircled  with  evergreens,  and  crowned 
with  flowers.  Before  eight  o'clock  the  hall  was  crowded  to 
its  utmost  capacity,  standing  room  being  at  a  premium. 

"  Professor  McCormell  called  the  assembly  to  order,  and 
introduced  Brother  E.  Danforth,  of  San  Francisco,  Grand 
Foreman,  who  delivered  a  brief  address,  exj)laining  the 
beneficial  features  of  the  Order,  and  showing  that  it  costs 
less  than  five  cents  per  day  to  each  member,  to  insure  their 
families  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  in  case  of  death. 
\fter  Brother  Danforth  concluded,  Professor  McCormell  in- 
troduced Father  Upchurch,  whose  appearance  on  the  stage 
was  the  signal  for  prolonged  applause. 

"  When  silence  was  restored,  the  speaker,  after  thanking 
the  audience  for  their  cordial  reception,  spoke  briefly  on  the 
inception  and  progress  of  the  Order.  He  stated  the  diffi- 
culties and  discouragements  that  had  to  be  met  and  over- 


Goes  to  Colusa.  135 


come  in  the  beginning,  but  that  now  it  had  grown  to  be  the 
most  powerful  Fraternal  and  Beneficiary  institution  among 
men;  its  influence  for  good  was  felt  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land. 

"  Father  Upchurch  was  listened  to  with  profound  atten- 
tion. Though,  as  he  says,  he  makes  no  pretense  to  being  a 
public  speaker,  his  ideas  are  clear  and  his  words  well  chosen. 

"  The  next  on  the  programme  was  the  recitation  of  the 
'  Prize  Poem,'  by  Sam  Booth,  published  in  the  Watch- 
man of  July  II,  by  a  little  Miss  May  Powers.  The  little 
lady  acquitted  herself  most  charmingly,  and  was  applauded 
most  heartily. 

"  After  the  literary  exercises  were  concluded,  the  banquet 
hall  was  thrown  open,  and  refreshments,  such  as  fruit,  ice- 
cream, cake,  etc.,  were  served.  The  chairs  were  removed 
from  the  center  of  the  main  hall,  and  a  pleasant  hour  was 
spent  in  music  and  dancing. 

"  The  reception  of  Father  Upchurch  was  an  event  that 
will  long  be  remembered  by  the  people  of  Woodland." — 
CorrespondeJit  Pacific  States  Watchma?i,  August  8. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  pleasant,  as  well  as  beautiful 
little  cities  that  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  while  on 
the  coast.  The  people  are  generous  to  a  fault.  They  left 
nothing  undone  that  would  tend  to  make  my  visit  an  en- 
joyable one. 

July  29  I  visited  the  vineyard  and  raisin  factory  of  Mr. 
R.  B.  Blair,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  town.  Here  is 
the  finest  grapery  I  have  seen,  though  not  the  largest.  It 
produces  from  five  to  sever.'^een  tons  per  acre,  with  twenty- 
five  acres  of  the  finest  peaches,  plums,  prunes,  and  apricots 
I  have  ever  seen.  I  was  shown  through  his  evaporating- 
house,  where  tons  of  dried  fruits  are  made  annually. 

GOES    TO    COLUSA. 

At  thirty-five  minutes  past  eleven  o'clock  we  bade  farewell 
to  our  friend  and  took  the   train   for   Colusa,  where  I  met 


136  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Brother  Jordan.  We  alighted  at  the  town  of  Williams, 
about  ten  miles  from  Colusa.  Here  the  Committee  of 
Reception  was  waiting,  and  we  were  placed  in  carriages  and 
driven  across  a  lovely  country  to  Colusa,  a  pretty  little  town 
on  the  banks  of  the  Sacramento  River,  in  Colusa  County, 
and  put  down  at  the  Colusa  House. 

At  four  o'clock,  p.  m..  Supreme  Foreman  Wm.  H.  Jordan, 
assisted  by  Bro.  E.  Dan  forth  and  myself,  instituted  Colusa 
Legion,  No.  ii,  Select  Knights,  in  Workman's  Hall,  with 
twenty-two  charter  members.  In  the  evening,  the  Work- 
men formed  in  front  of  the  hotel  and  escorted  Brothers 
Jordan,  Danforth,  and  myself  to  the  theater,  which  was 
packed  to  its  fullest  capacity.  Judge  Bridgeford  delivered  the 
address  of  welcome,  when  he  introduced  me  to  the  audience. 
I  was  received  with  enthusiasm,  I  addressed  them,  after 
which  Brothers  Jordan,  Danforth,  and  Black  delivered  fine 
addresses  in  the  interests  of  the  Order,  showing  the  advan- 
tage to  be  gained  by  becoming  members  thereof. 

FROM    THE    "PACIFIC    STATES    WATCHMAN." 

"  The  reception  tendered  Father  Upchurch  by  the 
Workmen  of  Colusa  County,  took  place  at  Colusa  on 
Wednesday  evening,  July  29,  and  it  was  in  every  respect  a 
splendid  ovation.  The  theater  was  packed  full,  and  all 
could  not  get  in,  while  the  enthusiasm  was  unbounded. 
People  came  to  the  reception  from  all  parts  of  the  country; 
five  carriages  filled  with  members  came  thirty  miles,  and 
one  brother  came  seventy  miles.  Many  came  from  Marys- 
ville  and  other  points  outside  the  county. 

''  The  exercises  in  the  theater  comprised  a  vocal  quartette 
by  Mrs.  Chas.  Whitney,  Mrs.  Kate  Sherman,  and  Misses 
Graves  and  Pryor;  an  introductory  speech  by  Judge  Bridge- 
ford;  addresses  by  Father  Upchurch  and  Past  Master  W. 
H.  Jordan,  of  San  Francisco — which  the  Colusa  Sun  char- 
acterized as  a  very  fine  oration — an  address  by  J.  S.  Black, 


Goes  to  Virginia  City.  137 

of  Butte  City,  and  two  songs  by  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  Glee  Club. 

"  The  exercises  were  followed  by  a  general  hand-shaking 
with  Father  Upchurch,  and  then  came  dancing  and  a  fine 
supper  at  the  Colusa  House,  to  which  nearly  four  hundred 
persons  sat  down. 

"  Grand  Foreman  Danforth  and  Past  Grand  Master  Jor- 
dan were  the  only  Grand  Officers  present,  and  they  are  both 
of  the  opinion  that  the  Colusa  recepdon  was  ahead  of  any- 
thing that  has  yet  taken  place  in  the 'State." 

July  30  Judge  Bridgeford  took  Brothers  Danforth,  Jordan, 
and  myself  in  a  carriage  and  drove  into  the  country,  which 
is  the  finest  wheat-growing  district  in  the  State.  Last  year 
the  county  produced  more  than  eleven  million  bushels,  or 
one-fourth  of  all  the  wheat  grown  in  the  State.  We  drove  to 
Judge  Bridgeford's  ranch  and  had  some  fine  melons.  On 
our  return  to  the  hotel,  some  brother  had  sent  in  to  me  a 
fine  melon  that  weighed  fifty  pounds,  and  named  it  "Pea 
Nut,"  which  we  cut,  and  it  proved  to  be  a  splendid  one 
indeed.  On  leaving  this  place,  Bro.  W.  G.  Puig  presented 
me  with  a  beautiful  finger  ring,  which  I  will  cherish  as  a 
memento  of  my  trip  to  this  lovely  little  town  and  country. 
At  eleven  o'clock,  a.  m.,  Judge  Bridgeford  took  us  in  his 
carriage  to  Williams,  where  we  took  the  train,  Brothers 
Jordan  and  Danforth  for  San  Francisco,  and  I  for  Sacra- 
mento. Williams  is  a  station  on  the  California  &  Oregon 
Railroad.  It  has  a  Lodge  of  twenty-two  members.  On 
the  next  evening  after  the  meeting  at  Colusa,  they  received 
fifteen  applications  for  membership,  which  was  a  grand 
accession  to  that  Lodge. 

GOES    TO    VIRGINIA    CITY. 

I  Stopped  over  a  few  hours  at  Sacramento  to  wait  for 
Grand  Lecturer  E.  M.  Reading,  who  was  to  accompany  me 


138  Life  of  Feather  Upchurch. 

to  Virginia  City,  Nevada.  At  half  past  seven  o'clock,  a.  m., 
on  the  morning  of  the  31st,  we  reached  Reno.  Here  a 
Committee  of  Reception,  Brothers  Dunne.  Holman,  Cowan, 
and  Gladding,~were  in  waiting  from  Gold  Hill  and  Virginia 
City.  After  breakfast,  a  coach  and  four  was  driven  up,  and 
we  started  for  the  Great  Bonanza.  I  was  much  surprised 
at  the  beauty  of  this  valley,  its  fine  residences,  fragrant 
flower  gardens,  well-cultivated  farms,  and  all  watered  from 
the  snow-clad  mountains  that  loom  up  on  either  side. 
There  is-  a  splendid  mountain  road  the  whole  distance  of 
twenty  miles.  We  stopped  at  Steamboat  Springs,  celebrated 
for  its  medicinal  properties.  The  water  and  steam  gushes 
forth  from  a  rent  in  the  rock  of  the  mountain  hot  enough  to 
boil  an  egg  in  three  minutes.  The  shock  of  an  earthquake 
a  few  years  ago  opened  the  rock  six  inches  wide.  There 
are  splendid  accommodations  for  visiting  invalids.  I 
thought  of  what  the  Dutchman  said,  that  "hell  w^as  not  a 
mile  from  this  spot.''  Only  a  few  rods  away  is  a  cold  water 
spring.  We  again  entered  the  carriage,  and  started  up  Gei- 
ger's  grade;  passed  Robber's  Turn,  and  Dead  Man's  Point, 
which  derived  their  names  from  the  many  robberies  and 
murders  that  had  been  committed  at  these  points  in  early 
days. 

AT    VIRGINIA    CITY. 

Arrived  at  Virginia  City  at  half  past  twelve  o'clock,  p.  m., 
and  stopped  at  the  International  Hotel,  where  rooms  had 
been  engaged  for  us.  In  the  evening  the  Select  Knights, 
in  full  uniform,  formed  in  front  of  the  hotel,  and  escorted 
us  to  the  Piper  Opera  House,  which  was  packed  to  its 
utmost  capacity  with  the  most  orderly  audience  I  ever  saw. 
Men  stood  in  the  aisles  for  two  hours,  and  not  a  dozen  left 
the  hall.  The  proceedings  are  better  described  by  the 
Ijiter-Mou7itain  Workman,  as  follows: — 


At  Virginia  City.  130 

"  The  brethren  of  our  Order  at  Gold  Hill  and  Virginia 
City,  Nevada,  had  Father  Upchurch  with  them  on  July  31. 
It  was  a  royal  occasion,  and  one  that  will  long  be  remem- 
bered by  all  who  had  the  privilege  of  participating  therein." 

The  Virginia  City  Enterprise  had  the  following  glowing 
account  in  a  recent  issue: — 

"  J-  J-  Upchurch,  the  famous  founder  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  arrived  in  this  city,  from  San  Francisi;o, 
shortly  after  noon  yesterday.  Capt.  P.  J.  Dennis  and  He- 
ber  Holman,  of  Storey  Lodge,  No.  3,  and  J.  F.  Gladding 
and  A.  G.  Cowan,  members  of  Gold  Hill  Lodge,  No.  2, 
who  went  to  Reno  to  meet  him,  brought  him  up  from  Storey 
in  a  four-in-hand  carriage.  He  found  plenty  of  members 
of  the  Order  to  receive  him  and  shake  hands  with  him,  and 
during  the  afternoon  he  took  a  look  about  town.  In  the 
evening  the  grand  reception  ten4ered  him  by  the  members 
of  the  Order  in  this  section,  took  place  at  Piper's  Opera 
House.  The  doors  were  opened  at  seven  o'clock,  and  peo- 
ple poured  in  from  all  quarters.  At  eight  o'clock  the  spa- 
cious theater  was  crowded  full,  and  no  more  could  get  in. 
The  gallery  was  closely  packed,  and  all  the  standing  room 
down  below  fully  occupied,  as  also  were  the  stage  boxes  and 
wings.  It  is  estimated  that  fully  fifteen  hundred  persons 
were  present.  The  audience  was  largely  composed  of  ladies, 
and  on  the  stage  were  seated  prominent  members  of  the 
Order  beside  Father  Upchurch,  and  in  the  rear,  next  to  the 
scenery,  were  arranged  a  double  row  of  Select  Knights,  in 
uniform.  These  are  of  a  higher  degree  of  the  Order,  and 
presented  a  very  handsome  appearance. 

'•  Father  Upchurch  is  a  fatherly-looking  gentleman  of 
sixty-five  years  of  age,  with  gray  hair,  white  goatee,  and  no 
moustache.  He  is  unpretentious  in  his  manner  and  speech, 
and  looks  more  like  a  plain  farmer  or  a  third-class  Postmas- 
ter than  the  famous  founder  of  one  of  the  very  best  and 
most  popular  Orders  or  fraternal  organizations  in  the  United 
States.  Naturally  caring  for  and  fraternally  regarding  his 
fellow-man,  all  feel  naturally  attracted  toward  him.  Few 
men  in  this  world  have  more  true  and  earnest  friends  than 
good  Father  Upchurch. 


140  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"  After  a  fine  overture  by  the  Virginia  Orchestra  Band- 
Professor  Zimmer,  leader — J.  C.  Harlow,  Grand  Foreman  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workman  in  this  State,  called 
the  assemblage  to  order,  and  made  a  well-delivered  introduc- 
tory address,  speaking  of  the  occasion  of  this  grand  meeting 
to  do  honor  to  the  distinguished  founder  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  It  was  a  Workmen's  welcome 
to  a  Workman.  He  introduced  Bro.  J.  A.  Stephens,  who 
delivered  the  address  of  welcome. 

"  Mr.  Stephens  is  a  natural  orator,  and  he  threw  his  whole 
soul  into  the  spirit  of  the  occasion.  He  referred  to  Father 
Upchurch  in  eloquent  terms,  as  the  founder  of  the  Order. 
He  saw  the  needs' of  his  fellow  Workmen,  and  devoted  the 
energies  of  his  mind  to  thQ  perfection  of  a  plan  to  amelio- 
rate and  improve  their  condition.  Labor,  to  be  respected, 
must  respect  itself  among  mankind  as  well  as  at  home.  It 
must  command  the  respe«t  of  the  rich,  and  thus  influence, 
and  induce  a  willingness  to  divide  the  accumulations  of 
wealth.  He  recapitulated  the  history  and  career  of  Father 
Upchurch,  and  related  what  he  had  done.  The  Order  in 
the  United  States  already  numbered  over  one  hundred  and 
forty-five  thousand,  and  he  predicted  that  before  the  end  of 
the  present  century  the  Order  would  number  over  one  mill- 
ion of  fearless  Workmen.  He  closed  with  a  cordial  greet- 
ing to  Father  Upchurch,  '  Such  as  we  have  we  give  unto 
you.* 

•'The  founder  of  the  Order  of  United  Workmen  came 
forward,  and  was  introduced  amid  universal  applause.  He 
disclaimed  being  a  gifted  orator,  but  would  give  a  little  plain 
talk.  He  spoke  easily  and  without  much  effort,  yet  not  in 
a  loud  voice.  He  expressed  his  gratification  at  the  way  he 
was  received  on  the  occasion,  and  could  say  with  an  earnest 
heart  that  he  appreciated  the  honor  conferred.  He  was  one 
of  those  who  had  followed  railroading  for  thirty-eight  years, 
as  a  working  mechanic  in  the  shops.  He  saw  the  disadvan- 
tage under  which  his  fellow-laborers,  as  well  as  himself,  were 
suffering,  most  of  which  was  brought  about  by  their  own 
imprudence,  and  felt  impelled  to  study  out  some  plan  by 
which   their  condition   might   be   bettered.      There   were 


At  Virginia  City.  141 


Trades  Unions,  but  he  found  diem  all  selfish,  and  their 
aims  and  ends  were  detrimental  to  the  interest  of  the  em- 
ployers as  well  as  those  of  the  workingman.  He  thought 
he  would  try  and  bring  them  into  an  Order  that  would 
obviate  and  harmonize  all  their  difficulties,  make  them 
united  in  their  plans  for  mutual  improvement  and  benefit, 
and  make  provision  for  the  future;  and  he  was  happy  to  see 
that  his  object  was  accomplished.  He  gave  a  brief  history 
of  the  earliest  formation  of  the  Order.  Jefferson  Lodge, 
No.  I,  was  instituted  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  October 
27,  1868,  with  only  fourteen  members.  He  showed  them 
the  work  he  had  conceived,  and  the  next  morning  a  number 
of  them  demanded  that  the  word  '  white,'  should  be  stricken 
from  the  Constitution.  This  he  squarely  refused  to  do,  and 
the  Recorder  refunded  to  every  man  his  entrance  fee.  On 
the  3d  of  November,  the  second  meeting  night,  he  was 
more  than  gratified  at  having  six-  of  the  members  come  in 
and  pay  their  initiation  fee  the  second  time.  One  by  one 
new  members  joined,  '  and  we  began  to  feel  in  a  flourishing 
condition.'  Why  he  gave  it  the  name  'Ancient,'  was  be- 
cause he  wanted  to  give  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  arts 
and  sciences,  and  to  do  this,  he  had  to  refer  to  ancient  his- 
tory, which  showed  him  that  Tubal  Cain  was  the  founder 
and  instructor  of  all  who  worked  in  brass,  iron,  and  other 
metals.  He  then  referred  to  the  building  of  the  city  of 
Babylon  and  Solomon's  temple,  so  well  described  in  holy 
writ.  The  Order  had  opposition  from  the  very  first,  from 
other  Orders,  as  well  as  from  Workmen  themselves;  but  in 
spite  of  all  opposition,  thank  God,  the  Order  has  flourished 
until  to-day  we  number  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty-two 
thousand  Workmen,  whose  families  repose  to-night  secure 
from  the  contingencies  of  adversity  and  death.  Multiply  one 
hundred  and  fifty-two  thousand  by  five,  the  estimated  number 
of  each  family,  and  we  have  seven  hundred  and  sixty  thou- 
sand souls  directly  interested  in  the  growth  and  prosperity 
of  our  beloved  Order.  He  congratulated  the  members  of 
the  Jurisdiction  on  their  success,  with  a  membership  of 
three  thousand  already,  and  rapidly  increasing  in  members 
and  prosperity.     He  was  proud  to  see  so  many  ladies  pres- 


142  Life  of  Father  CJpchurch. 

ent,  as  it  shows  the  interest  they  take  in  the  Order,  which 
was  formed  for  the  benefit  not  only  of  their  fathers,  broth- 
ers, and  husbands,  but  for  themselves  and  their  children. 
He  addressed  a  few  pertinent  remarks  to  the  Select  Knights 
on  the  stage,  reminding  them  of  their  obligations  to  stand 
by  each  other,  and  to  draw  their  swords  in  defense  of  inno- 
cence and  virtue,  and,  thanking  his  audience  for  the  earnest 
attention  shown  to  his  remarks,  he  sat  down,  amid  great 
applause. 

"  Grand  Foreman  Harlow  now  read  telegrams  from  James 
Sullivan,  Grand  Master  Workman,  and  J.  W.  Kinsley,  Su- 
preme Representative  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
Helena,  Montana,  congratulating  Father  Upchurch  on  his 
very  gratifying  reception  in  this  city. 

MESSAGES    FROM    ABSENT    WORKMEN. 

"'Helena,  Mont,  July  30,  1885. 
'"J.  J.  Upchurch,  care  of  J.  F.   Gladding:  Accept  my 
compliments  and  the  assurance  that  the  brotherhood  about 
you  fairly  represents  the  Order  of  this  Jurisdiction. 

James  Sullivan,  Grand  Master  Workma7iJ 

"  '  Helena,  Mont.,  July  30,  1885. 
"  'J.  F.  Gladding:  I  congratulate  the  brethren  of  Storey 
County,  the  first   to  extend   a  public   reception    to  Father 
Upchurch  within  our  borders.     The  honor  of  our  Jurisdic- 
tion is  confidently  intrusted  to  worthy  hands. 

James  Sullivan,  Grand  Master  Woi-kmari.^ 

"'Helena,  Mont.,  July  30,  1885. 
"'J.  F.  Gladding:  I  join  with  you  in  welcoming  within 
our  borders   Father  Upchurch,  the  Abou  Ben  Adhem  of 
the  nineteenth  century. 

J.  W.  Kinsley,  Siipreme  Representative.^ 

"  A  double  quartette  of  four  ladies  and  five  gentlemen, 
principally  from  Gold  Hill,  now  appeared  on  the  stage,  and 
sang,  in  beautiful  style,  'The  Fisherman  and  His  Child,' 
which  was  very  deservedly  encor:?d. 


Presented  With  a  Silver  Brick.  143 

"  The  following  letter  was  received  from  Grand  Recorder 
Thornburn,  of  Ogden,  Utah: — 

'"Ogden,  Utah,  July  28,  1885. 
"'J.  F.  Gladding,  Secretary  of  Committee —Dear  Sir 
and  Brother:  Time  and  distance  alone  prevent  me  from 
following  my  very  strong  desire  to  be  present  with  you  at 
the  reception  of  Father  Upchurch.  The  reverence  of  one 
for  his  parents  is  sure  evidence  of  his  early  training.  The 
respect  of  the  members  of  a  fraternal  society  for  the  origi- 
nator of  their  system  of  government  is  also  a  sure  indication 
of  their  standard  of  membership.  Therefore,  I  know  that 
Past  Supreme  Master  Workman  J.  J.  Upchurch,  the  founder 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  will  fare  well  at 
your  hands.  At  this  place  I  had  the  pleasure  of  becoming 
personally  acquainted  with  him,  and  am  sure  that  every 
member  of  the  Order  will  esteem  it  an  honored  privilege  to 
cordially  grasp  the  hand  of  this  great  benefactor  of  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  our  brotherhood.  I  trust  the  occa- 
sion will  redound  to  the  advantage  of  our  Order,  be 
creditable  to  the  brethren,  and  acceptable  to  the  grand  old 
man.         Fraternally  yours, 

D.  Thornburn,  Gra?id  Recorder.' 

'*  An  original  poem,  by  W.  G.  Hyde,  Recorder  of  Gold 
Hill  Lodge,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  was  a 
feature  of  the  evening.  It  was  read  in  a  fine  voice  and 
style  by  the  gentleman  himself,  and  received  with  applause. 
It  was  a  very  well-written  and  creditable  effort,  and  was 
followed  by  another  fine  overture  by  the  band. 

presented  with  a  silver  brick. 

"  The  presentation  of  a  silver  brick  was  made  by  Past 
Master  A.  G.  Cowan,  in  a  very  neat,  well-delivered  address, 
in  the  name  of  the  Order.  It  is  a  very  handsome  little 
brick,  appropriately  engraved,  and  inclosed  in  a  neat  box  or 
casket,  and  when  the  well-pleased  recipient  took  it  into  his 
hands,  rounds  of  applause  resounded  throughout  the  theater. 
He  expressed  his   hearty  approval   of  this   beautiful   and 


144  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

valuable  offering  in  a  very  Appropriate  little  speech  of 
thanks,  and  said  he  should  remember  the  brethren  of  the 
Order  and  the  beautiful  city  of  Virginia  as  long  as  he  re- 
mained on  the  top  of  the  earth. 

'•'  E.  M.  Reading,  Grand  Lecturer  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  of  California,  was  introduced  and 
made  a  very  pleasing  address,  full  of  amusing  recitals,  which 
drew  forth  frequent  applause.  He  represented  the  beauti- 
ful character  of  the  Order  in  an  effective  style. 

"  The  double  quartette  now  sung,  '  Come  Where  the 
Lilies  Bloom/  with  fine  effect  and  great  applause,  and  this 
concluding  the  regular  exercises,  the  floor  was  cleared 
for  dancing.  While  this  was  being  done,  the  audience 
was  given  an  opportunity  to  visit  Father  Upchurch,  and 
shake  his  good  old  hand,  which  all  proceeded  to  do. 
At  a  late,  or  early,  hour  this  morning  the  theater  was  still 
densely  crowded  with  merry  dancers.'^ 

VISITING  THE  MINES. 

August  I  Bro.  Jerome  Caldwell  presented  me  with  some 
fine  specimens  of  silver  ore  from  the  Comstock  Lode  from 
the  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty  foot  level,  worth 
eighteen  thousand  dollars  per  ton.  In  the  last  twenty  years 
four  hundred  million  dollars  were  taken  out  of  these 
mountains.  At  this  mine  there  is  a  pump  one  hundred 
inches  in  diameter,  and  a  fly-wheel  thirty-four  feet  in  diameter, 
which  w^eighs  one  hundred  and  five  tons.  We  also  visited 
the  Combination  Shaft.  The  largest  pump  I  ever  saw  is  at 
this  place — hi^^^h-pressure  steam  cylinder,  thirty-five  inches 
in  diameter,  with  ten-foot  stroke;  low-pressure  cylinder, 
seventy  inches  in  diameter,  with  ten-foot  stroke,  and  pumps 
one  hundred  inches  in  diameter,  which  lift  one  hundred 
thousand  gallons  of  water  per  day.  This  shaft  is  three 
thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  deep.  The  water  is 
emptied  into  the  Sutro  Tunnel,  sixteen  hundred  feet  below 
ihe  surface.     At   this  shaft   the   valves  of  the   pump   are 


At  Carson  City.  145 

worked  by  a  separate  engine;  they  also  have  a  pump  that 
gets  up  a  pressure  of  one  thousand  pounds  per  inch.  This 
machinery  was  built  and  set  up  by  a  firm  in  San  Francisco. 
There  are  sixty  thousand  tons  of  iron  under  the  surface  at 
this  shaft.  We  also  visited  the  Hale  &  Norcross  shaft.  I 
fully  intended  to  go  down  this  shaft,  but  when  I  got  there 
the  steam  was  coming  out  of  it  so  fast  that  I  changed  my 
mind.  Here  I  got  some  very  fine  specimens  of  ore.  We 
then  visited  the  Yellow  Jacket  Mine,  of  Gold  Hill.  Brother 
Estep,  Superintendent,  presented  me  with  fine  specimens  of 
gold  and  silver  ore  combined.  After  showing  us  through 
the  building,  we  returned  to  our  hotel.  In  the  evening, 
attended  Lodge  meeting  at  Gold  Hill  and  had  a  grand 
time.  There  were  several  addresses,  and  after  the  business 
of  the  Lodge  was  transacted,  the  doors  of  the  banquet  hall 
were  thrown  open,  when  all  sat  down  to  a  magnificent  sup- 
per, prepared  by  the  ladies.  At  a  late  hour  all  retired  to 
their  several  places  of  abode,  highly  elated  at  the  success 
of  the  evening. 

AT  CARSON. 

August  2  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman 
Gladding  and  Grand  Foreman  Harlow,  took  us  in  carriages 
to  Carson  City;  went  through  Gold  Hill,  Silver  City,  and 
Gold  Canyon.  Not  much  gold  is  being  taken  out  at  the 
present  time,  on  account  of  there  being  no  water  for  wash- 
ing. We  stopped  at  the  Mexican  Quartz  Mills,  four  miles 
from  Carson  City.  I  think  there  are  about  eighty  stamps 
which  crush  the  quartz  into  powder.  The  quicksilver  holds 
the  precious  metal  and  then  carries  off  the  refuse.  It  is  a 
grand  operation,  so  much  so  that  with  my  limited  knowledge 
of  it  I  am  unable  to  describe  it.  After  being  shown 
through  the  mill,  we  proceeded  on  to  Carson  City. 

lO 


14G  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

The  brothers  of  Carson  met  us  at  the  hotel,  when  the 
parlors  were  thrown  open  to  us  and  we  held  an  informal 
meeting,  with  many  introductions  and  hand-shakmgs. 
Brother  Reading  and  myself  gave  them  a  short  talk.  After 
dinner  we  visited  the  railroad  shops  with  the  master  me- 
chanic. They  are  admirably  arranged  for  the  work  of  the 
road.  We  then  visited  the  State  House,  which  is  a  magnifi- 
cent building,  well  arranged;  were  in  the  office  of  the  State 
Zoologist,  and  were  shown  a  great  number  of  fine  specimens 
that  had  just  been  returned  from  the  New  Orleans  Exposi- 
tion. We  then  visited  the  library  and  State  Treasurer's 
office.  Here  I  was  introduced  to  the  holder  of  the  public 
funds  of  the  State,  who,  I  think,  is  the  right  man  in  the 
right  place,  as  his  size  would  deter  anyone  from  assault,  for 
fear  there  would  be  nothing  left  of  them.  After  a  social 
chat,  we  were  driven  to  the  State  Prison,  where  we  were 
introduced  to  Warden  Bell,  who  is  a  courteous  gentleman. 
He  took  every  pains  to  show  us  everything  of  interest  about 
the  place.  The  floor  of  the  prison  yard  is  solid  rock,  there 
having  been  forty-five  feet  of  rock  taken  off  for  the  build- 
ing of  the  Capitol,  prison,  and  other  buildings.  Here  are 
tracks  of  horses,  and  elephants  whose  track  measures 
twelve  inches  across,  birds  of  many  varieties,  plain  and 
large  tracks  of  the  sand-hill  crane,  eighteen  inches  apart; 
there  are  also  tracks  of  human  beings  about  three  feet  apart, 
supposed  to  be  of  the  present  stature.  There  are  tracks  of 
the  wolf  with  the  ball  of  the  foot  about  two  and  a  half  inches 
across;  in  one  place  there  are  tracks  of  three  persons — 
we  judge  from  their  size  to  be  the  old  man  leading  a  child 
and  the  old  lady  bringhig  up  the  rear.  Here  the  impression 
of  the  carcass  of  an  elephant  is  to  be  seen  imbedded  in  the 
rock.     When  the  top  rock  was  taken  off  two  tusks  were 


At  Reno.  147 


found,  one  where  the  animal  lay,  the  other  about  twenty 
feet  away.  They  were  eight  feet  long  and  in  a  good  state 
of  preservation,  and  it  took  four  men  to  carry  them.  Hav- 
ing seen  all  that  was  interesting,  we  returned  to  the  city. 
Carson  is  a  beautiful  place,  situated  in  a  valley  with  fine 
shade  trees  and  some  magnificent  residences.  The  brothers 
of  Carson,  as  well  as  Virginia,  seemed  to  be  very  much 
interested  in  the  work  of  the  Order.  After  supper  we  took 
a  carriage  for  Virginia  City,  arriving  there  at  half  past  eight 
o'clock,  p.  M. 

THE    SUTRO    TUNNEL. 

August  3  Brothers  Dunne  and  Brown  called  for  us  at  nine 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  with  a  carriage,  and  took  us  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Sutro  Tunnel,  seven  miles  distant.  Here  a  car  was 
placed  at  our  disposal,  and  we  went  into  the  Tunnel  about 
five  thousand  feet.  It  was  extremely  warm.  This  tunnel 
takes  the  water  from  the  mines,  one  thousand  and  six  hun- 
dred feet  below  the  surface.  Six  hundred  thousand  gallons 
of  water  pass  through  here  every  twenty- four  hours,  and  are 
discharged  into  the  Carson  Valley.  It  is  so  hot  that  you 
can  hardly  leave  your  hand  in  it.  We  then  went  to  Dayton 
and  took  lunch.  This  is  a  little  town  of  five  hundred  in- 
habitants, with  a  Lodge  of  eighty  members,  which  shows 
for  itself  what  interest  is  taken  in  the  Order  there.  We 
then  took  a  carriage  through  Gold  Canyon  for  Virginia 
City.  At  Gold  Hill  I  had  a  fine  lot  of  gold  and  silver 
quartz  presented  to  me  by  Bro.  Adam  Bay. 

AT    RENO. 

At  half  past  five  o'clock  took  the  train  for  Reno,  accom- 
panied by  Brother  Estep.  In  the  evening  w^e  attended 
Lodge  meeting.     There  was  a  good  turn-out  of  members, 


148  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

and  especially  of  the  ladies.  Had  some  excellent  music, 
both  vocal  and  instrumental,  and  addresses  by  Brother 
Reading,  several  members,  and  myself,  and  after  business  was 
through  with  we  partook  of  a  fine  collation  in  the  banquet 
hall  adjoining  the  Lodge  hall,  and  had  an  enjoyable  time 
generally. 

August  4  was  driven  around  town,  w4:iich  has  some  very 
fine  buildings,  among  them  the  school  buildings.  There 
are  about  two  thousand  inhabitants  in  this  pretty  litttle  city. 
We  then  visited  the  insane  asylum,  which  has  one  hundred 
and  fifty  inmates.  One  of  the  patients  presented  me  with 
a  "bill  of  sale,"  as  he  called  it,  for  the  whole  establishment. 
Another  of  the  inmates  called  me  by  name,  and  handed 
me  a  petition  signed  by  twenty-eight  patients,  requesting 
me  to  hand  it  to  the  District  Attorney,  who  would  let  them 
out. 

RETURNS    TO    SAN    FRANCISCO. 

At  half  past  eight  o'clock,  p.  m.,  we  took  the  train  for  San 
Francisco.  Took  breakfast  on  the  5  th  at  Sacramento,  and  ar- 
rived at  San  Francisco  at  half  past  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.  I 
went  direct  to  the  office  of  Brother  Jordan,  and  got  letters 
from  home,  stating  that  my  wife  and  grandchild  were  sick. 
At  half  past  four  o'clock  I  took  dinner  at  the  residence  of 
Grand  Foreman  E.  Danforth,  with  Brothers  Barnes,  Poland, 
and  a  number  of  ladies.  Had  an  excellent  time,  and  all 
seemed  to  enjoy  it  hugely. 

August  6  a  man  calling  himself  Thomas  Francis,  a 
brother  of  Edward  Francis,  who  at  one  time  worked  at  the 
railroad  shop  in  Steelville,  Missouri,  stated  that  he  had  lost 
all  his  money  at  mining,  and  could  not  get  work  in  the  city, 
but  had  been  offered  a  job  on  a  farm  at  Stockton  at  twenty- 
five  dollars  per  month  and  board,  but  had  no  money  to  get 


Goes  to  Los  Angeles.  149 

tliere  witli.  I  loaned  him  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents,  and  he 
promised  to  write  me  at  home.  In  the  evening  I  went  with 
Brother  Jordan  to  Oakland,  and  visited  Pacific  Lodge,  No. 
7;  the  hall  being  well  filled,  Brother  Barnes  and  myself  ad- 
dressed the  audience.  The  members  of  this  Jurisdiction 
are  full  of  fraternity,  consequently  take  a  great  interest  in 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Order.  Had  a  find  colla- 
tion of  fruits  and  melons,  and  remained  with  Brother  Jor- 
dan over  night. 

August  7  returned  to  San  Francisco,  and  in  the  evening 
visited  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  6,  of  Oakland.  A  number 
of  speeches  were  made,  one  of  which  was  by  Bro.  W.  H. 
Jordan,  and  one  by  myself.  We  had  a  very  good  meeting, 
and  I  believe  much  good  will  result  from  it.  At  the  close 
we  had  a  fine  collation,  which  was  enjoyed  by  all  present. 
After  adjournment  we  returned  to  San  Francisco. 

August  8  I  was  in  my  room  nearly  all  day,  watching  the 
procession  in  honor  of  U.  S.  Grant.  In  the  evening  I 
visited,  wdth  Grand  Master  McPherson  and  Grand  Lecturer 
Reading,  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  9;  had  a  very  pleasant 
time,  and,  I  trust,  a  profitable  meeting.  This  Lodge  has 
three  hundred  and  forty  members,  pays  ten  dollars  a  week 
sick  benefit,  and  has  over  one  thousand  dollars  in  bank. 
They  are  alive  to  the  interest  of  the  Order. 

GOES    TO    LOS    ANGELES. 

August  9  Grand  Master  McPherson  and  myself  left  San 
Francisco  at  half  past  three  o'clock,  p.  m.,  for  Los  Angeles, 
on  the  Central  Pacific;  going  up  the  Tehachepi  Mountain, 
saw  what  is  called  the  Loop.  It  was  a  new  idea  to  me,  how 
to  get  to  the  top  of  a  mountain.  Took  breakfast  at  Mohave, 
three  hundred  and  eighty-one  miles  from  San  Francisco. 
This  station  is  on  the  edge  of  Mohave  Desert,  and  is  the 


150  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

terminus  of  the  Tulare  and  San  Joaquin  Valley.  All  pro- 
visions must  be  transported  over  the  mountains,  and  the  water 
is  carried  in  pipes  from  a  spring  ten  miles  away.  There  are 
several  stores  and  residences  here,  and  the  railroad  com- 
pany has  a  round-house  for  fifteen  engines,  a  machine  shop, 
and  a  large  freight  warehouse.  Freight  wagons  are  always 
on  hand  to  unload  bullion  and  other  freight,  and  carry  them 
to  different  parts  of  the  country  and  Mexico.  From  this 
point  there  is  a  line  of  stages  running  to  all  the  principal 
towns,  the  fare  being  about  twenty  cents  per  mile.  The 
Atlantic  &  Pacific  Railroad  forms  a  junction  at  this  place. 

This  district  produces  nothing  but  a  species  of  sage 
brush  and  cactus,  which  grows  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  high. 
Its  wood  is  used  for  making  paper,  which  is  said  to  be  equal 
to  the  best  bank-note  paper. 

Between  Sand  Creek  and  Lancaster,  off  to  the  left,  I  saw 
what  appeared  to  be  a  fine  lake.  The  waves  seemed  to  roll 
naturally;  but  on  inquiry  I  learned  it  was  what  is  known  as 
the  mirage  of  the  desert,  formed  of  sand  and  alkali.  Lan- 
caster is  a  station  with  half  a  dozen  buildings,  just  south  of 
the  desert.  Here  is  a  flouring  mill,  and  it  is  said  that  the 
soil  produces  well  when  watered.  There  were  some  fruit 
trees  and  about  one  hundred  grape-vines  that  looked  thrifty. 
At  Newhall  Station,  a  town  of  half  a  dozen  houses,  were 
piles  of  two-inch  gas  pipe,  to  be  sent  to  the  oil  wells.  At 
this  point  there  is  a  good  hotel,  and  a  short  distance  from 
here  is  the  San  Fernando  Tunnel,  six  thousand  nine  hun- 
dred feet  long,  with  a  grade  of  one  hundred  sixteen  feet 
to  the  mile. 

SAN    FERNANDO. 

"At  San  Fernando  Father  Upchurch  and  Grand  Master 
McPherson  were  met  by  a  Committe  of  Welcome,  consisiing 
pf  the  following  members:  James  Booth,  J.  F.  C.  Johnson, 


At  Los  Angeles.  151 


J.  S.  Mills  of  Pasadena,  Al.  Cobler,  Walter  Deveraux,  \V. 
F.  Poor,  Robert  Sharp,  F.  A.  Haskell,  W.  Myers,  Dr.  E. 
T.  Shoemaker,  E.  C  Glidden,  J.  L.  Livingstone  of  the 
Express,  and  Robert  Farrell.  The  committee  from  Los 
Angeles  boarded  the  down  train  for  San  Fernando,  and  were 
introduced  to  Father  Upchurch  and  Duncan  McPherson, 
Grand  iMaster  Workman,  by  Deputy  Supreme  Commander 
of  the  Select  Knights,  Ancient  Order  of  United  W^orkmen, 
Al.  Cobler;  after  \vhich  H.  C  Hubbard,  Master  Workman 
of  San  Fernando  Lodge,  No.  214,  introduced  the  several 
members  of  his  Lodge,  who  were  presented  to  Father 
Upchurch.  In  an  interview^  our  distinguished  visitor,  on 
his  way  to  the  city,  expressed  himself  more  than  delighted 
with  his  reception  in  Nevada  and  California.  This  being 
his  first  visit  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  he  had  been  surprised  at 
the  growth  and  wonderful  development  of  the  country 
which  he  passed  through.  His  visit  had  been  a  continued 
ovation,  not  only  from  members  of  the  Order,  but  by  repre- 
sentative men  of  the  coast,  who  had  done  all  in  their  power 
to  make  his  journey  a  pleasant  one,  and  to  afford  him^  a 
vast  amount  of  information.  He  had  looked  forward  with 
pleasure  to  his  visit  to  Southern  California,  where  the  Order 
had  made  such  wonderful  strides  in  a  short  time,  and  whose 
world-wide  reputation  for  hospitality  had  no  equal. 

AT  LOS  ANGELES. 

"  Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  train  in  this  city 
the  party  took  carriages  to  the  St.  Elmo,  where  an  elegant 
dinner  was  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  distinguished 
guests  and  the  Reception  Committee.  Father  Upchurch 
and  Grand  Master  Workman  Duncan  :McPherson  occupied 
the  head  of  the  table,  while  Deputy  Supreme  Commander 
Al.  Cobler  occupied  the  opposite  end. 

'•After  dinner  the  distinguished  visitors  made  friendly 
visits,  and  then  awaited  the  grand  procession,  which  formed 
on  Los  Angeles  and  Commercial  Streets  in  two  divisions 
and  marched  under  command  of  Al.  Cobler,  Marshal,  with 
Asa  Green,  John  Hughes,  and  J.  D.  Campbell  as  aids. 

"  The  first  division  was  composed  of  Los  Angeles  Lodge, 


152  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

No.  55;  Santa  Ana,  No.  82;  Silver  Star,  No.  84;  Anaheim, 
No.  85;  Compton,  No.  120;  Wilmington,  No.  130;  Pasadena, 
No.  152;  El  Monte,  No.  188;  Southern  California,  No.  191; 
San  Fernando,  No.  214;  Newhall,  No.  218;  Pomona,  No. 
225;  East  Los  Angeles,  No.  230;  Azusa,  No.  232;  Alham- 
bra,  No.  233,  escorted  by  the  City  Band.  The  second 
division  was  escorted  by  the  Eagle  Corps  Band,  and  con- 
sisted of  California  Lodge,  No.  i;  Pomona,  No.  4;  San  Ber- 
nardino, No.  5;  Los  Angeles,  No.  6;  and  Wilmington,  No. 
8 — Select  Knights.  In  an  opening  of  this  division  was  a 
carriage  drawn  by  six  bright  bay  horses,  containing  Father  J. 
J.  Upchurch,  Grand  Master  Workman  Duncan  McPherson, 
Past  Master  Workman  Walter  Lindley,  President  of  the  Day, 
Past  Master  Workman  William  D.  Morton,  Orator;  second 
carriage,  Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman  James  Booth, 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman  John  F.  C.  Johnson, 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman  John  S.  Mills.  Fol- 
lowing the  second  came  the  Knights,  bringing  up  the  rear 
of  the  column.  The  procession  marched  down  Main 
Street  to  Fourth,  to  Fort,  to  Temple,  to  Spring,  to  Turn 
Verein  Hall,  where  the  parade  was  dismissed;  and  the 
immense  throng  moved  into  the  hall  to  witness  the  recep- 
tion and  literary  exercises. 

"Following  were  the  exercises  at  the  hall:  Overture  by 
Eagle  Corps  Band;  Brother  Walter  Lindley,  Chairman,  then 
addressed  the  audience  in  a  very  appropriate  and  instructive 
manner,  and,  of  course,  giving  the  rise  and  progress  of  the 
Order  in  Southern  California,  also  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  by  the  families  of  those  who  associate  themselves 
with  the  Order,  etc.  Then  followed  a  fine  quartette,  after 
which  the  address  of  welcome  by  Past  Master  Workman 
W.  D.  Morton  was  delivered  in  a  very  glowing  and  feeling 
manner,  to  which  Father  Upchurch  replied,  giving  the 
circumstances  that  caused  an  impression  on  his  mind  which 
led  to  the  organization  of  the  Order,  its  progress  and  bene- 
fits. He  was  followed  by  Grand  Master  Workman  Duncan 
McPherson,  who  spoke  in  his  pleasing  and  entertaining 
manner,  giving  many  interesting,  as  well  as  amusing,  inci- 
dents. At  the  close  of  the  exercises,  all  partook  of  ^, 
sumptuous  banquet^  and  wound  up  with  a  dance," 


Viewing  the  Country. 


153 


VIEWING  THE  COUNTRY. 

\ugust  1 1  the  Grand  Master  Workman  and  myself,  accom- 
p^nicd  bv  Brothers  James  Booth,  Al.  Cobler,  Robert  Sharp, 
E.  C.  Gliddin,  and  A.  C  Hall,  made  a  tour  of  a  few  of  the 
mostbeautiful  and  notedplaces  aboutLos  Angeles.     TheSan 
Gabriel  Valley  was  visited,  taking  in  Pasadena,  a  little  town, 
and    the    surrounding    country,    which    is     lovely    beyond 
description.     There  are  some  fine  country  residences  and 
magnificent  lawns,    fine  orange  groves,    and    fruits    of    all 
descriptions.     We  went  forward   until    we   reached    Sierra 
Madra    Villa,  which  is  a  magnificent  summer  resort,  sur- 
rounded  by   fine  groves  of  orange,  lemon,  lime,  and  many 
others,  with  fountains  of  pure  water  rushing  down  from  the 
mountain.     After  lunch  we  again  took  carriages  and  started 
for  the  city,   passing    through   "Lucky"  Baldwin's  ranch, 
which  consists  of  a  whole  township  of  the  fruit  land  in  the 
valley,  with  fine  buildings,   fountains,  lakes,  etc.,  also  fine 
orange,  lemon,  and  walnut  orchards.     On  leaving  here  we 
called  at  the  winery  of  J.  L.  Rose.     He  has  fifteen  hundred 
acres  in  grapes  and  three  hundred  in  oranges  and  English 
walnuts/  Some   of  the  trees   are    fifteen    inches   through. 
The  gentleman  informed  me  that   he  would  make  two  hun- 
dred ""and  fifty  thousand  gallons  of  wine,  and  fifty  thousand 
gallons  of  brandy  from  his  own  crops.     They  had  just  begun 
to  crather  their  grapes.     On  leaving  here  we  called  at  the 
San  Gabriel  Mission.     The  old  mission  house  still  stands, 
an  adobe  or  sun-dried  brick  structure  one  hundred  and  four 
years  old.     It  is  in  a  rather  bad  condition;  there  are  a  num- 
ber of  buildings,  but  very  few  in  good  condition.     There 
are  quite  a  number  of  Mexicans   still   living  here,  and  they 
^Iso  have  a  Lodge  here. 

In  the  evening  we  attended  a  meeting  of  three  Lodges 


154  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

at  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  Ten  new  members  were  initiated 
into  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  I  find  that 
the  brothers  here,  as  well  as  in  other  parts  of  California,  are 
full  of  fraternity  and  good-fellowship.  It  would  give  me 
the  greatest  satisfaction  if  all  the  Jurisdictions  were  as  much 
interested  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  our  beloved 
Order,  as  is  the  case  in  California.  August  12  we  visited 
East  Los  Angeles  Lodge.  The  hall  was  densely  packed. 
There  was  speaking  by  Grand  Master  McPherson,  myself, 
and  several  of  the  members,  and  we  had  a  very  social  and 
instructive  meeting. 

This  Lodge  is  called  the  Baby  Lodge,  but  if  ii  continues 
to  grow  in  the  future  as  it  has  in  the  past,  it  will  become 
larger  than  the  Mother,  which  is  of  good  size.  Los  Angeles 
is  a  lovely  city  and  is  making  some  fine  improvements. 
The  business  of  the  city  is  also  increasing  remarkably  fast. 
One  great  improvement  could  be  made  by  removing  the  old 
Spanish  adobe  houses. 

GOES    TO  SANTA  MONICA. 

August  13,  at  half  past  nine  o'clock,  a.  m.,  took  the  train 
for  Santa  Monica,  a  summer  resort,  on  the  beach  of  old 
ocean.  This  place  has  about  four  hundred  inhabitants. 
The  beach  is  fine,  and  many  enjoy  bathing  in  the  surf. 
Along  the  beach  are  about  forty  tents  for  the  use  of  bath- 
ers, and  quite  a  number  of  our  party  availed  themselves  of 
the  pleasure  of  a  plunge. 

At  half  past  three  o'clock,  p.  m.,  we  again  took  the  train 
for  Los  Angeles.  In  the  evening  we  attended  the  Legion  of 
Select  Knights.  I  acted  as  chaplain,  and  we  took  in  two 
comrades,  conferred  all  the  Degrees,  and  gave  them  a  short 
talk  on  our  duties  to  the  Order  and  each  other.     Brother 


Returns  to  San  Francisco.        155 

Dexter,  of  No.  6,  presented  me  with  a   fine    meerschaum 
pipe,  here. 

RETURNS  TO  SAN  FRANCISCO. 

August  14,  at  half  past  twelve  o'clock,  p.  m.,  took  the 
train  for  San  Francisco.  Nothing  of  note  occurring,  we 
arrived  at  half  past  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  on  the  15th,  and 
went  to  the  Baldwin  Hotel.  In  the  evening  was  called 
upon  by  Past  Grand  Master  Workmen  W.  H.  Barnes  and 
W.  H.  Jordan.  I  accompanied  them  to  Alameda  Lodge, 
No.  165,  which  gave  a  theatrical  entertainment  entitled  the 
"  Mistletoe."  Returned  to  the  city  at  half  past  twelve,  a.  m., 
on  the  1 6th.  As  the  time  drew  near  for  me  to  leave  the 
brothers  of  California,  and  especially  those  of  San  Francisco 
and  Oakland,  my  heart  grew  sad.  I  felt  that  I  was  parting 
with  dear  friends,  whom,  in  all  probability,  I  should  never 
meet  again — friends  who  had  done  all  that  any  people 
could  do  to  make  my  visit  the  most  pleasant  and  enjoyable, 
every  pains  being  taken  to  show  me  everything  of  interest 
in  and  around  the  city.  I  had  been  escorted  either  by  the 
Grand  Master  Workmen  or  some  of  the  Grand  Officers 
throughout  the  State  of  California  and  Nevada.  But  this 
is  not  all;  they  had  paid  every  expense  and  supplied  every 
want  since  I  left  my  home  in  the  East,  and  contributed 
about  five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  to  meet  my  liabilities  on 
my  return  home. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  Grand  Master  McPherson, 
Grand  Foreman  Danforth,  and  Grand  Lecturer  Reading  took 
breakfast  with  me,  when  we  took  a  carriage  for  the  steamer. 
On  our  arrival  on  the  wharf  where  passage  had  been  secured 
on  the  steamer  Columbia^  for  Portland,  Oregon,  having  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  to  do  so  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that 
Jurisdiction,  Brothers   Grand   Master   McPherson,    Grand 


K6  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Foreman  Danforth,  Grand  Lecturer  Reading,  Past  Grand 
Master  Barnes,  Past  Master  Lewis,  F.  H.  McDonald,  %.  T. 
Dewey,  Ex- Governor  Perkins,  and  many  others,  attended  me 
to  the  steamer  and  placed  me  in  charge  of  the  officers,  the 
captain  and  a  number  of  the  officers  being  members  of  the 
Order. 

FAREWELL    TO    CALIFORNL\. 

I  bade  adieu  to  my  CaHfornia  sons  wath  great  reluctance, 
feeling  a  deep  sense  of  my  obligations,  not  only  to  the 
officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  to  the  members  generally, 
trusting  that  the  spirit  of  fraternity  might  attend  them 
throughout  all  time  to  come.  Among  my  fellow-passengers 
were  Brother  John  Mcintosh,  of  San  Francisco,  and  sev- 
eral others,  who  tried  to  make  my  trip  as  pleasant  as  pos- 
sible. At  half  past  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  we  steamed  out,  with 
clear  weather — Captain  Bolles;  as  first  officer,  Augustine 
Maynard;  chief  engineer,  Van  Deusen;  first  assistant, 
Brinkerhoff.  The  w^eather  continued  fair  until  after  we 
passed  the  Golden  Gate,  and  toward  night  it  got  very  foggy 
and  the  sea  ran  high ;  had  to  sound  fog-horn  every  half 
minute.  Came  very  near  run-iing  into  a  schooner.  Was 
a  little  sick  that  evening.  August  17  sea  was  still  rough; 
saw  a  few  whales ;  passed  a  number  of  vessels.  At  three 
o'clock,  p.  M.,  saw  land  and  a  number  of  rocks  -standing 
high  out  of  the  water. 

August  18  fog  was  thick  enough  to  cut;  could  not  see 
more  than  fifty  yards  from  steamer;  automatic  fog-horn 
sounded  every  minute.  We  drifted  off  and  on  from  six  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  to  twelve.  AVe  crossed  the  bar  at  half-past  twelve, 
and  passed  the  wreck  of  the  Great  Republic^  \vhich  went 
down  a  few  years  ago.  It  lay  about  two  hundred  yards  from 
the  coiirse  of  our  steamer.     There   are  establishments  for 


Arrival   in  Oregon.  157 

canning  fish  all  along  the  shores  of  Oregon  on  the  right,  and 
Washington  Territory  on  the  left.  Passed  New  Fort,  under 
construction.     A  revenue  cutter  was  lying  off  the  fort. 

ARRIVAL    IN    OREGON. 

Arrived  at  Astoria,  Oregon,  at  half  past  one  o'clock,  p.  M., 
and  was  met  at  the  wharf  by  a  Committee  of  Reception  and 
escorted  to  the  Occidental  Hotel.  After  dinner.  Dr.  Tuttle 
took  me  in  a  buggy  around  the  town,  which  has  about  five 
thousand  inhabitants,  some  good  buildings,  a  Custom  House, 
opera  house,  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  Masonic  halls,  and  a  number  of 
saw-mills,  that  cut  from  fifty  thousand  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  feet  of  pine  lumber  per  day,  and  twenty-four 
canning  establishments  for  salmon.  We  also  visited  the 
cemetery.     One  headstone  reads  as  follows  : — 


IN 

MEMORY  OF 
D.    McTAVISH,    ESQ., 

AGED   42   YEARS, 

DKOWNED     CROSSING     THIS     RIVER,     MAY     22,     1814. 

ASTORIA. 

We  then  went  on  top  of  Cockscomb  Mountain,  and  could 
see  the  bar  and  several  bays.  A  fine  view  of  the  city  can 
be  had  from  this  point.  In  the  evening  we  visited  Seaside 
Lodge,  No.  12,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  had 
a  very  good  attendance.  Grand  Master  George  B.  Dorris 
was  to  have  met  me  there,  but  failed.  I  addressed  the 
members  for  about  half  an  hoiir,  and  was  followed  by  sev- 
eral members.  This  Lodge  has  a  membership  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fourteen,  and  they  are  alive  to  the  interest  of  the 


158  Life  of  Father  UrcHtiRCH. 

i ■ '    "- — aa 

Order.  At  the  close  of  the  exercises  the  Lodge  closed, 
when  I  was  conducted  to  the  steamer  Telegraphy  which 
started  for  Portland  at  six,  a.  m.,  on  the  19th.  The  Co- 
lumbia River  is  a  beautiful  stream.  The  boat  touched  on 
either  side. 

AT    PORTLAND. 

We  landed  at  Portland  at  two  o'clock,  p.  m.,  and  was  met 
at  the  boat  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Child,  with  a  Committee  of  Recep- 
tion. Entered  carriage  and  was  taken  to  the  Gilman  House. 
Committee  of  Arrangements  held  consultation,  and  decided 
to  reduce  the  length  of  time  that  I  was  to  remain  in  this 
Jurisdiction  to  the  6th  of  September. 

August  20  I  visited,  with  Doctor  Child,  the  High  School 
building,  in  course  of  erection.  It  will  cost,  when  com- 
pleted, one  hundred  and  fifty-three  thousand  dollars,  and 
is  an  honor  to  the  city  and  the  Board  of  Directors.  It  was 
to  be  completed  the  beginning  of  September.  This  city 
has  about  thirty-five  thousand  inhabitants,  and  is  a  very 
substantial  city,  with  many  fine  and  costly  edifices.  In  the 
afternoon.  Dr.  J.  H.  Kessler  and  lady,  old  acquaintances 
from  my  home  place,  called  on  me  at  the  hotel,  and  we  had 
quite  a  pleasant  chat  on  old  times.  In  the  evening  I  vis- 
ited, with  Doctor  Child  and  a  few  others,  East  Portland 
Lodge,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  The  attend- 
ance was  very  slim,  only  forty  members  present.  After  an 
introduction,  I  addressed  the  audience,  followed  by  several 
other  brothers.  There  seemed  to  be  a  good  feeling  ex- 
isting among  the  members  present.  On  adjournment,  we 
returned  to  the  hotel. 

August  21  I  visited  Brother  F.  Abel's  photographic  gal- 
lery, and  sat  for  a  picture.  None  of  the  brothers  called  on 
me  that  day  but  Brothers  Child  and  Jefferas,  of  No.  2,  Oak- 


McMlNNVILLE.  159 


land,  California.  I  felt  quite  unwell  all  day.  In  the  even- 
ing took  boat  for'  Fort  Vancouver;  only  ten  persons  on 
board,  which  was  a  disappointment  to  the  committee  and 
commander  of  the  boat.  Was  met  at  the  landing  by  a  com- 
mittee and  escorted  to  the  hall,  where  a  public  meeting  was 
held,  about  one  hundred  persons  being  present.  After  the 
address  of  welcome,  I  was  introduced  and  addressed  the 
audience.  A  good  feeling  existed  among  the  members  of 
the  Order  there.     Returned  at  half  past  twelve  o'clock,  a.  m. 

MCMINNVILLE. 

August  2  2  did  not  get  up  till  half  past  nine  o'clock,  con- 
sequently got  no  breakfast.  Went  with  Doctor  Stephenson 
to  see  the  car  being  prepared  for  the  exhibition  at  New 
Orleans.  It  contained  fine  grain,  grapes,  and  fruits.  It 
was  to  start  on  its  journey  the  next  day,  and  be  in  St.  Louis 
from  the  4th  to  the  loth  of  October.  This  car  was 
gotten  up  by  the  Emigrant  Aid  Association,  and  put 
under  the  direction  of  E.  W.  Allen,  Commissioner  ap- 
pointed by  the  Governor.  Visited  the  wholesale  house  of 
Murphy,  Grant  &  Co.,  the  largest  firm  in  the  West.  This 
house  is  managed  by  Captain  White,  who  showed  us  through 
the  building.  The  Captain  gives  a  bad  lookout  for  the 
future  business  of  this  city.  At  five  o'clock,  p.  m.,  took  the 
train  for  McMinnville,  arriving  at  eight  o'clock.  Was  met 
at  the  depot  by  a  number  of  the  members.  They  stated 
that  there  would  be  no  meeting,  as  it  was  impossible  to  get 
a  hall.  I  was  introduced  to  about  two  dozen  brothers  and 
their  ladies,  after  which  we  were  all  called  to  the  dining- 
room,  where  a  fine  supper  was  in  waiting,  to  which  we  did 
ample  justice.  I  then  gave  them  a  short  talk  on  the  duty 
they  owed  to  their  families  and  the  Order. 

August  23,  in  the  morning,  I  took  a  stroll  through  the 


160  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

town;  called  on  Doctor  Moore  and  talked  to  him,  he  agree- 
ing to  send  in  his  application  to  join  the  Order.  The  town 
has  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  inhabitants,  four 
churches,  and  two  banks.  The  Lodge  numbers  forty-three 
members.  I  saw  only  two  members  of  the  Order  that  day, 
but  found  a  good  many  young  and  middle-aged  men  who 
did  not  belong  to  the  Order,  Fraternity,  here,  seems  to  be 
as  scarce  as  angels'  visits.  Took  dinner  with  Brother 
Harver;  in  the  afternoon  visited  Sabbath-school  in  the 
Christian  Church,  about  twenty  children  attending.  In  the 
evening  I  attended  the  same  churcJi,  and  listened  to  a 
temperance  lecture,  by  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Chicago. 

August  24  left  for  Portland  on  the  quarter  to  six  train. 
In  the  evening  a  public  reception  was  given  me  at  the 
Masonic  Hall,  about  five  hundred  persons  being  present. 
Address  of  welcome  by  J.  F.  Capus,  when  I  was  introduced 
to  the  audience  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Child.  I  replied,  giving  them 
the  origin  and  progress  of  the  Order,  the  many  blessings 
that  had  been  conferred  through  its  influence,  and  the 
duty  we  owe  to  our  families  and  the  community  by  living 
up  to  its  principles,  and  using  our  means  to  induce  others 
to  unite  with  us  in  pushing  the  good  work  forward.  I  was 
followed  by  Bro.  J.  A.  Stephens,  in  a  fine  address,  which 
was  convincing  and  instructive,  calculated  to  arouse  en- 
thusiasm in  the  interest  of  the  Order,  and  plant  fraternity 
deep  in  the  hearts  of  his  hearers.  Everybody  seemed  to 
enjoy  it,  and  after  the  exercises  of  the  meeting  were  over, 
the  floor  was  cleared  for  the  merry  dancers.  On  adjourn- 
ment, about  half  a  dozen  brothers  and  their  ladies  went  to 
a  restaurant  and  partook  of  cream  and  cake. 

August  25  Doctors  Stephens  and  Coader  took  me  in  a 
carriage  around  the  city.     Saw  some  fine  residences,  and 


Goes  to  Victoria,  B.  C  161 

beautiful  streets,  well  set  with  shade  trees;  crossed  the  river  to 
East  Portland,  thence  to  Milwaukee,  where  we  recrossed 
the  river  to  White  House,  which  is  a  place  of  summer  re- 
sort. From  here  we  visited  the  water-works.  In  the  even- 
ing visited  Hope  Lodge;  only  fourteen  persons  were  present, 
and  only  five  of  them  members  of  Hope  Lodge.  There  was 
a  fearful  state  of  affairs  in  this  Jurisdiction,  especially  in 
and  around  Portland. 

I  talked  to  them  and  tried  to  show  them  their  duty,  and 
induce  them  to  arouse  from  their  lethargy  and  do  some- 
thing to  build  up  the  Order.  Duty  to  themselves  de- 
manded that  thty  go  to  work  with  renewed  energy  for  the 
interest  of  the  Order.  They  told  me  that  a  former  Grand 
Master  Workman  told  them  it  was  not  a  fraternal  organiza- 
tion, that  its  beneficiary  feature  was  its  only  consideration. 
It  will  take  more  than  I  am  able  to  give  to  enthuse  them. 

GOES   TO   VICTORIA,    B.    C. 

August  26^  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock,  took  the  train, 
with  Dr.  J.  A.  Child,  for  Victoria,  British  Columbia.  A 
perfect  wilderness  nearly  the  whole  distance  through  Wash- 
ington Territory,  excepting  at  Chehalis,  which  has  one 
church,  one  bank,  and  about  three  hundred  inhabitants. 
The  next  town  is  Centralia,  which  has  two  churches,  a  bank, 
and  about  three  hundred  inhabitants.  There  are  some 
pretty  good  farms.  A  few  miles  below  this  town  the  coun- 
try is  nothing  but  a  bed  of  gravel  for  thirty  or  forty  miles, 
extending  to  the  Sound.  At  Tacoma  we  took  the  steamer 
Oly7npia,  for  Victoria.  Reached  Seattle  about  eight  o'clock, 
p.  M.;  went  up-town  while  freight  was  being  unloaded. 
Left  Seattle  at  twelve,  and  reached  Port  Townsend  at  six 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  27th.     Discharged  some  freight  and 


162  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

left  at  half  past  seven  o'clock.  This  was  a  very  good  boat, 
but  had  quite  poor  accommodations.  Landed  at  Victoria 
at  half  past  ten  o'clock,  and  was  met  by  a  Committee  of 
Reception,  a  part  of  whom  w^ere  Custom  House  officers, 
who  passed  us  through  without  detention.  We  were  placed 
in  carriages  and  driven  to  the  Occidental  Hotel.  Here  I 
met  three  brothers  from  Meadville,  Pennsylvania;  one  of 
them  was  Brother  Wright,  who  said  he  knew  me  there,  and 
that  he  belonged  to  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i.  Was  intro- 
duced to  Hon.  J.  McKinney,  Governor  of  Alaska.  In  the 
afternoon  a  committee,  consisting  of  Brothers  W.  S.  Wright, 
H.  Short,  A.  R.  Nielan,  and  others,  called  at  my  hotel  wath 
three  carriages,  and  took  Dr.  J.  A.  Child  and  lady,  Dr. 
Funda,  and  myself,  with  other  brothers,  out  to  Esquimalt, 
where  w^e  dismounted,  and  were  taken  in  boats  out  to  the 
British  man-of-war,  Triumph,  a  ten- gun  ship,  besides  about 
a  dozen  small  guns,  where  we  were  shown  through  the  ship, 
and  everything  pointed  out  to  us  and  explained,  for  which 
our  conductors  were  well  paid.  After  leaving  the  ship  w^e 
were  conducted  to  the  new  dry  dock  that  is  being  con- 
structed. It  is  six  hundred  feet  long,  and  built  of  granite. 
We  then  re-entered  the  carriages  and  returned  -to  the  city, 
which  is  beautifully  laid  out,  and  has  many  fine  buildings, 
including  residences,  churches,  and  public  buildings.  In 
the  evening  we  visited  the  Lodge  room,  where,  after  an  in- 
troduction to  the  members,  a  procession  was  formed,  and, 
headed  by  the  band,  we  marched  to  the  Olympic  Theater, 
about  five  hundred  persons  having  assembled.  The  meet- 
ing being  called  to  order,  the'  address  of  welcome  was 
delivered  by  Bro.  A.  R.  Nielan,  after  which  I  addressed  the 
audience,  followed  by  Doctor  Child.  Here  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  enthusiasm;  the  people  all  seem  to  be  interested  in 


In  Washington  Territory.  163 

the  growth  of  the  Order.  The  exercises  being  over,  all  re- 
paired to  the  Oriental,  where  a  fine  spread  was  in  waiting, 
and  was  partaken  of  with  satisfLXCtion,  a  good  feeling  exist- 
ing.    We  had  a  nice  time  generally. 

IN    WASHINGTON    TERRITORY. 

August  28,  at  one  o'clock,  p.  m.,  took  steamer,  Geo.  E. 
La7C',  for  Seattle.  Landed  at  Port  Townsend,  and  went 
ashore  for  about  twenty  minutes.  Reached  Seattle  at  a 
quarter  past  one  o'clock,  on  Saturday,  the  29th,  and  was 
taken  by  committee  in  carriages  around  the  city,  which  has 
a  population  of  twelve  thousand,  wdth  some  splendid 
buildings,  both  public  and  private.  This  is  a  very  rough 
and  broken  country.  A  public  reception  was  given  in  the 
evening,  at  Yester's  Hall,  which  was  largely  attended  by 
members  of  the  Order  and  citizens  of  both  sexes.  The 
meeting  being  called  to  order,  an  address  of  welcome,  by 
Bro.  James  F.  McNaught,  was  delivered,  and  w^as  replied  to 
by  myself,  Dr.  J.  A.  Child,  and  others.  After  adjournment, 
a  banquet  was  had  at  the  Oriental  Hotel,  to  which  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  persons  sat  down,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  them- 
selves to  the  utmost.  One  brother  arose  and  thanked  me 
for  the  part  of  my  address  that  applied  to  himself.  He 
stated  that  he  belonged  to  the  Order,  but  it  had  been  so 
long  since  he  attended  the  Lodge  meetings  that  he  did  not 
know  which  one  he  belonged  to.  He  confessed  that  he  had 
not  attended  to  his  duties,  but  if  I  would  forgive  him,  he 
would  attend  more  punctually  in  the  future.  The  members 
here  are  more  enthusiastic,  and  take  more  interest  in  the 
Order,  than  any  place  I  have  been  since  my  arrival  in  this 
Jurisdiction.  At  a  late  hour  the  meeting  adjourned,  well 
satisfied  with  everything.  We  were  up  nearly  all  night, 
waiting  for  the  boat,  but,  owing  to  the  fog,  it  could  not  get  in. 


164  Life  of  Father  Qpchurch. 

TACOMA. 

Ausjust  30,  in  the  morning,  took  the  boat  for  Tacoma  (the 
Indian  meaning  for  this  being  "breast  milk  ").  In  the  after- 
noon Bro.  A.  S.  Howell,  an  engineer  on  the  North  Pacific 
Railroad,  escorted  me  through  the  machine  shops,  and 
round-house.  In  the  evening  I  visited  the  Lodge  room, 
and  met  a  number  of  the  brothers  there;  held  an  informal 
meeting,  but  had  a  very  pleasant  time  in  social  conversation. 
I  spoke  to  them  of  the  importance  of  going  to  work  with 
energy  and  determination  to  build  up  the  Order.  Stopped 
at  the  Tacoma  House,  said  to  be  the  largest  and  best  hotel 
north  of  San  Francisco,  being  able  to  accommodate  three 
hundred  guests,  and  all  take  seats  at  the  table  at  the  same 
time.  Tacoma  Mountain  lies  off  to  the  east,  but  the  fog 
was  so  dense  that  we  could  not  see  beyond  fifty  yards. 

OLYMPIA. 

August  31  took  the  train  for  Olympia,  arriving  there  at 
half  past  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.  Was  met  at  the  depot  by  a 
committee  and  conveyed  to  the  Carleton  House.  After 
dinner,  the  committee  called  in  carriages,  and  took  us  to 
the  water-falls,  which  are  very  fine,  though  small.  We  then 
drove  around  the  city,  which  contains  some  good  buildings, 
three  or  four  churches,  with  good  schools.  Called  at  the 
wood  water-pipe  factory;  they  were  making  some  necessary 
repairs,  and  we  did  not  see  them  in  operation;  two  grist- 
mills and  one  door  and  sash  factory.  The  water  here  de- 
scends one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  three  hundred  yards. 
That  forenoon  I  had  an  introduction  to  Governor  Squires, 
and  invited  him  to  attend  the  meeting,  which  he  promised 
to  do  if  he  could  get  away  from  his  office.  In  the  evening 
I  visited  the  Lodge  room,  and  was  introduced  to  many 
members,  and  had  a  good  time  generally.     On  adjournment, 


Goes  to  Albany,  Oregon.  165 

a  procession  was  formed,  and,  headed  by  the  band,  moved 
through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  lialting  at  the  City 
Hall,  which  was  well  filled  with  people  of  both  sexes. 
Meeting  being  called  to  order  by  the  chairman,  an  overture 
was  played  by  the  band;  an  address  of  welcome  was  deliv- 
ered by  Past  Master  Workman  Brown,  to  which  I  responded, 
being  followed  by  both  instrumental  and  vocal  selections  of 
music;  after  which  Dr.  J.  A.  Child,  and  others,  addressed 
the  audience.  The  meeting  was  both  entertaining  and  in- 
structive, everybody  being  delighted.  On  adjournment,  all 
repaired  to  the  Carleton  House,  where  a  fine  banquet  was 
in  readiness,  which  we  partook  of  enjoyingly.  Many  toasts 
were  read.  Among  the  most  prominent  persons  present 
were  Governor  Squires  and  lady,  w'th  whom  I  held  quite  a 
lengthy  conversation  on  the  principles  of  the  Order.  In 
response  to  a  toast,  the  Governor  said  that  he  had  made 
some  inquiries  as  to  the  principles  and  aims  of  the  Order, 
and  from  what  he  had  learned  to-night,  he  would  be  glad  to 
become  a  member  of  such  a  noble  institution,  and  requested 
the  Recorder  to  call  on  him  with  an  application,  and  he 
would  sign  it.  There  were  many  fine  speeches,  and  all 
present  enjoyed  them.selves  to  the  fullest  extent.  At  the 
proper  time  all  dispersed,  highly  elated  over  the  enjoyments. 
Here  the  brothers  are  full  of  fraternity,  and  are  doing  all 
that  is  in  their  power  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  Order. 

GOES  TO  ALBANY,  OREGON. 

September  i  left  Olympia  for  Albany,  Oregon,  passing 
through  Portland,  and  reaching  there  at  nine  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Was  met  at  the  depot  by  Committee  of  Reception,  com- 
posed of  Brother  Allen  and  others.  We  were  taken  in  a 
carriage  direct  to  the  Lodge  room,  there  being  assembled 
about  twenty-fiive  members  and  half  a  dozen  ladies.     They 


166  Life  of  IFather  Upchurch. 

said  it  was  so  late  their  members  would  not  stop.  There 
was  an  address  of  welcome  by  one  of  the  brothers  (whose 
name  I  have  forgotten),  to  which  I  replied,  being  followed 
by  Dr.  J.  A.  Child.  We  had  a  very  good  time,  and  I  trust 
that  much  good  may  result  from  it.  The  members  present 
w^ere  much  interested  in  the  work  of  the  Order.  After  ad- 
journment we  were  taken  to  the  Revere  House. 

September  2  Brother  Child  returned  to  Portland.  In  the 
morning  Brother  Allen  and  myself  walked  around  the  city. 
They  have  some  good  buildings,  two  banks,  eight  good 
church  buildings,  ten  church  organizations,  and  ministers. 
Several  churches  are  closed  for  want  of  support.  The  in- 
terest in  the  Order  runs  low.  Some  wide-awake  brother 
should  visit  them  who  can /<?z/;^^ fraternity  into  them.  The 
agricultural  surroundings  are  fine. 

AT  ROSEBURG. 

Brothers  i\llen  and  Woodman  went  with  me  to  the  train, 
and  at  twelve  o'clock,  m.,  I  started  for  Roseburg,  arriving  at 
six  o'clock,  p.  M.  Was  met  at  the  depot  by  the  Committee 
on  Reception,  and  taken  to  the  McClellan  House.  In  the 
evening  a  public  reception  was  tendered  me  at  the  Court 
House.  Had  a  very  large  audience,  a  fine  band  of  twenty- 
two  pieces.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  chair- 
man. Overture  by  the  band,  after  which  the  address  of 
welcome  was  delivered  by  Brother  Hurst,  to  which  I  replied, 
being  followed  by  Grand  Master  Workman  Davis  in  an  able 
and  interesting  address,  to  whom  marked  attention  was 
paid.  The  members  seemed  to  take  great  interest  in 
the  Order;  in  fact,  the  members  and  people  generally 
expressed  themselves  as  greatly  pleased  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  evening.     It  is  believed  that  much  good  will  result 


Goes  to  Salem,  Oregon.  167 

from  the  exercises  of  the  evening.  On  adjournment,  the 
members  and  their  ladies,  with  the  band,  repaired  with  me 
to  the  hotel,  where  a  fine  collation  was  in  readiness,  and 
was  enjoyed  by  all  present.  At  a  seasonable  hour  all 
retired,  much  gratified  with  tlic  entertainment.  This  is  a 
live  little  town  of  about  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants,  some 
good  buildings,  banks,  churches,  schools,  etc. 

EUGENE  CITY. 

September  3,  at  quarter  past  five  o'clock,  a.  m.,  took  the 
train  north,  for  Eugene  City,  arriving  at  nine,  a.  m.,  where 
a  committee  was  in  waiting  at  the  depot,  when  we  took  a 
carriage  and  went  to  the  St.  Charles  Hotel.  In  the  evening 
was  escorted  by  a  committee  to  the  hall,  and  after  intro- 
ductions and  hand-shaking,  a  procession  was  formed  and 
marched  to  the  theater,  where  there  were  about  one  hun- 
dred fifty  persons,  of  both  sexes,  assembled.  The  meeting 
being  called  to  order.  Grand  Master  Davis  delivered  a  fine 
address  of  welcome,  to  which  I  replied,  followed  by  Judges 
Bean  and  Walton.  I  found  that  the  members  here  were 
alive  to  the  work,  which  shows  that  the  Grand  Master 
Workman  is  out  among  them  with  his  good  cheer.  I 
believe  that  a  fine  Lodge  will  grow  out  of  the  work  of  this 
day.  This  is  a  nice  little  city  of  two  thousand  inhabitants, 
having  two  banks,  four  churches,  and  a  State  University. 

SALEM,    OREGON. 

September  4  Brother  Davis  and  myself  took  the  train 
for  Salem,  reaching  that  city  at  half  past  one  o'clock,  p.  m. 
A  Committee  of  Reception  was  waiting  with  a  carriage  at 
the  depot.  After  entering  the  carriage  we  proceeded  a  few 
squares,  to  where  the  Lodge  was  drawn  up  in  line,  with  a 
band,  and  we  were  escorted  to  Lafayette  Park,  there  being 


168  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

four  or  five  hundred  persons  present.  The  meeting  was 
called  to  order,  and  the  address  of  welcome  was  delivered 
by  Dr.  C.  H.  Hall  in  a  very  able  manner.  On  being  intro- 
duced, I  addressed  the  audience  for  three-quarters  of  an 
hour,  trying  to  convince  them  that  our  Order  was  the  Order 
for  the  people,  its  beneficiary  features  the  cheapest  and  best 
of  all  the  many  organizations  that  have  taken  pattern  after 
us.  Grand  Master  Davis  then  followed  in  a  very  instruct- 
ive as  well  as  entertaining  address,  pointing  out  to  them  the 
great  importance  of  securing  to  their  loved  ones  two  thou- 
sand dollars,  the  amount  guaranteed  to  the  widow  and 
orphans  of  any  deceased  member.  Between  each  speech 
there  was  fine  music  rendered  by  the  band.  The  audience 
seemed  to  be  well  pleased,  judging  from  the  repeated 
applause,  and  some  of  them  asked  to  be  proposed  for 
membership  in  the  Order  at  once.  On  leaving  the  park, 
others  expressed  themselves  as  being  well  pleased  with  the 
meeting.  The  audience  being  dismissed,  we  were  driven 
through  the  town.  It  is  a  very  nice  little  city,  with  numer- 
ous fine  buildings,  consisting  of  the  State  House,  Court 
House,  prison,  and  insane  asylum,  with  the  largest  grist- 
mill in  the  State.  At  certain  seasons  of  the  year  the 
stream  is  navigable  to  small  steamers  up  to  this  point.  It 
is  a  fine  agricultural  district.  I  stopped  at  a  hotel  whose 
name  I  failed  to  get.  This  is  a  city  of  some  five  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  business  is  very  good,  excepting  at  the 
hotel  where  I  stopped. 

September  5  took  the  train  for  Portland  at  a  quarter  to 
seven  o'clock,  a.  m.  Went  about  seven  miles  and  found  a 
woodpile  on  either  side  of  the  track  on  fire,  the  ties  being 
burned  and  rails  twisted  up  for  a  hundred  yards.  We 
backed  up  to  Salem,  having  to  lie  there  until  half  past  two 


Leaving  Oregon.  169 


O'clock,  p.  M.  I  expected  to  take  the  afternoon  train  on 
the  Northern  Pacific,  for  Montana,  but  being  too  late,  I  had 
to  lie  over.  Reached  Portland  at  half  past  four  o'clock, 
and  stopped  at  the  Oilman  House.  I  called  on  Dr.  Child 
on  the  morning  of  the  6th.  The  Doctor  was  twenty  dollars 
short  in  purchasing  a  ticket  to  St.  Louis,  which  I  furnished. 
I  was  much  disappointed  in  Oregon.  Some  of  the  previous 
officers  have  certainly  misled  the  people,  but  I  believe  that  a 
great  many  see  their  error,  and  will  erelong  go  to  work 
with  renewed  energy.  There  are  some  who  are  doing  all 
they  possibly  can  to  get  up  an  interest  among  the  members; 
and  when  that  is  accomplished,  the  Order  will  become  a 
grand  and  prosperous  organization. 

LEAVING  OREGON. 

September  6  went  to  the  ticket  office  and  ferry-boat 
alone.  Took  the  train  at  East  Portland,  striking  the  Co- 
lumbia about  five  o'clock,  p.  m.,  and  followed  its  southern 
bank,  seeing  some  five  or  six  rock  pyramids,  about  twenty- 
five  feet  high  and  about  seven  feet  across  at  the  base,  run- 
ning up  to  a  point.  The  train  stopped  fifteen  minutes  to 
give  passengers  a  view  of  Multnomah  Falls,  which  are  eight 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  falling  over  an  almost  perpen- 
dicular rock.  The  stream  is  small,  and  the  water  falls  into 
a  basin.  From  here  it  has  another  fall  of  about  thirty  feet. 
There  is  a  bridge  across  the  gorge  about  three  hundred 
feet  high,' from  which  a  grand  view  of  the  falls  can  be  had. 
Took  supper  at  Bannerville.  Here  are  the  cascades  of  the 
Columbia.  The  river  is  full  of  rocks,  but  deep;  many 
persons  have  lost  their  lives  by  attempting  to  cross  the 
stream  in  boats.  At  Cascade  Falls,  a  ship  canal  and  locks 
arc  being  built  by  the  Government.  Those  works  are  under 
the  charge  of  a  son  of  Brigham  Young.     He  is  a  graduate 


170  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

of  West  Point,  and  employs  Mormons  almost  exclusively. 
I  was  told  that  if  a  Mormon  applies  for  work,  a  Gentile  is 
sure  to  be  dismissed,  if  there  is  no  other  plan. 

THE    DALLES. 

At  The  Dalles  I  got  off  the  train,  where  a  number  of 
members  were  in  waiting  to  see  me  and  shake  my  hand. 
All  seemed  to  regret  very  much  that  I  could  not  stop  over 
and  speak  to  them,  they  having  made  arrangements  to  give 
me  a  reception,  and  show  me  the  surrounding  country. 

September  7,  in  the  morning,  saw  nothing  but  a  vast  desert 
with  ledges  of  black  rock  capped  with  snow.  Eight  o'clock 
saw  a  few  cabins,  with  some  dismal-looking  horses  on  the 
prairies.  Ritzville  lies  on  the  open  prairie,  having  two  ho- 
tels, land  office,  church,  and  several  stores.  Some  land  is 
in  cultivation.  A  few  miles  east  of  Ritzville,  is  Sprague 
Lake,  a  fine  sheet  of  water,  with  a  number  of  small  islands. 
The  lake  is  five  miles  long  and  from  a  half  to  three -fourths 
of  a  mile  wide.  There  are  fine  fish  and  fowl  in  this  lake. 
Along  its  outlet  are  cottonwood  and  willow  timber,  with 
some  few  ranches  upon  its  banks.  The  town  of  Sprague  is 
a  nice  little  place  of  about  twelve  hundred  inhabitants, 
having  a  good  hotel  and  several  business  houses.  John 
Robinson  had  his  show  bills  up  for  the  loth  of  September. 
There  are  a  number  of  saloons,  four  churches,  a  band,  and 
a  fine  depot.  An  attempt  is  being  made  to  have  a  city 
here. 

Cheney  is  a  pretty  little  town  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  and  is  said  to  be  quite  a  business  place. 
It  has  a  number  of  good  buildings,  and  is  situated  among 
the  scrub  pines,  with  two  medical  springs  a  short  distance 
from  the  place.     There  is  some  fine  wheat   land.     I  saw 


At  Helena,  Montana.  171 

some  wheat  that  was  five  feet  high  and  was   told  it  would 
average  thirty-seven  bushels  per  acre. 

Spokane  Falls  is  considerable  of  a  town,  said  to  have 
some  sixteen  hundred  inhabitants.  The  falls  are  not  in 
view  of  the  railroad.  It  has  some  large  buildings  of  brick, 
a  steam  flouring-mill,  and  a  railroad  repair  shop. 

IDAHO. 

Pend  d'Oreille  Lake,  Idaho,  is  a  fine  sheet  of  w^ater, 
ninety-one  miles  long  and  fifty  miles,  at  some  points,  across. 
At  Sand  Point  there  is  a  pretty  fair  depot.  Here  I  saw 
eight  or  ten  Indians  dressed  in  fancy  colors.  There  are 
only  six  families  in  the  town;  and  I  suppose  they  wish  they 
were  somewhere  else.  Saw  a  great  many  ducks,  geese,  and 
swans  on  the  lake.  Here  we  struck  the  Rocky  Mountain 
Range,  about  one  thousand  feet  high. 

Hereon  is  a  little  town  w^ith  one  hotel,  called  the  Mount- 
ain House,  a  fair  depot,  and  a  number  of  small  box  houses, 
I  think  the  Chinaman  has  the  majority  here.  The  mount- 
ains loom  up  all  around  this  place,  some  of  them  from  ten 
thousand  to  twelve  thousand  feet  high. 

AT    HELENA,    MONTANA. 

September  8  I  arrived  at  Helena,  Montana,  at  eight 
o'clock,  A.  M.  A  Committee  of  Reception  was  in  waiting, 
composed  of  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Kinsley,  Grand 
Master  Workman  Sullivan,  and  others;  also  a  company  of 
Select  Knights  on  horseback,  who  escorted  me  to  the  Grand 
Central  Hotel.  Here  I  met  and  shook  the  hands  of  a  great 
manv  members  and  friends  of  the  Order. 

[From  the  Daily  Independent,  Helena,  Mont.] 

"Yesterday  was  a  gala  day  with  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  of  this  city.     There  was  a  grand  parade, 


172  Life  of  Father  Upchurck. 

and  a  most  cordial  reception  extended  to  J.  J,  Upchurch, 
the  founder  of  the  Order. 

"The  distinguished  visitor  arrived  on  train  No.  2,  yes- 
terday morning,  and  was  escorted  to  his  hotel  by  a  large 
delegation  of  Select  Knights,  under  command  of  Com- 
mander Evans. 

"At  ten  o'clock  a  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  held  at  the  hall  of  Capitol  Lodge,  No.  2,  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  degree  was  conferred  by  the  following,  James 
Sullivan,  Grand  Master  Workman,  presiding:  Past  Supreme 
Master  J.  J.  Upchurch,  as  Past  Grand  Master  Workman; 
Past  Grand  Master  Workman  J.  W\  Kinsley,  as  Grand 
Lecturer;  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  W.  M.  BuUard,  as 
Grand  Recorder;  Deputy  Grand  Master  Workman  H.  C. 
Yeager,  as  Grand  P'oreman ;  Past  Grand  Master  Workman 
J.  A.  McDonald,  as  Grand  Overseer ;  Past  Grand  Master 
Workman  Wm.  Zeastrow,  as  Grand  Receiver;  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master  AVorkman  J.  D.  Conrad,  as  Grand 
Guide;  Past  Master  Workman  J.  McKilligen,  as  Grand 
Watchman.  The  following  received  the  degree :  Messrs. 
Mann  and  Duff,  of  No.  2;  Dickenson  and  Hartman,  of 
No.  3;  Riggs  and  Taylor,  of  No.  4;  Coss,  of  No.  19;  and 
Kirby,  of  No.  31. 

"  At  two  o'clock  a  procession  was  formed  in  the  following 
order:  Police — Chief  Marshal,  H.  C.  Yeager;  Aids, 
John  Bunton,  G.  White,  William  Hudnall,  H.  W.  Child, 
Anton  Kootz,  G.  W.  Gibbs,  S.  H.  Cromroe,  J.  H.  Mc- 
Dougald,  S.  Duff,  John  Moffit,  A.  E.  Bunker,  O.  C.  Bis- 
sonette,  W.  R.  McComas,  A.  J.  Seligman,  and  W.  Lorey; 
band;  Select  Knights,  mounted;  Visiting  Lodges  of  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen;  Protectioi>  Lodge,  No.  15, 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen ;  Capitol  Lodge,  No.  2, 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  ;  carriages  with  body 
guard  of  Select  Knights,  containing  Past  Supreme  Master 
Workman  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Grand  Master  Workman  James 
Sullivan,  Past  Grand  Master  Workmen  J.  W.  Kinsley,  and 
W.  M.  Bullard. 

"  There  were  about  three  hundred  Workmen  in  line,  and 
many  were  the  expressions  of  praise  heard  of  their  fine 
appearance  and  discipline. 


Address  of  J.  W.  Kinsley.  173 

"The  column  arrived  at  the  Opera  House  at  half  past 
two  o'clock,  where  the  following  exercises  took  place  : — 

"  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  W.  M.  BuHard,  presiding, 
introduced  the  first  speaker,  Supreme  Representative  J.  W. 
Kinsley,  who  spoke  as  follows  : — 

address  of  j.  w.  kinsley. 

"'Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies,  Brother  Workmen,  and 
Friends:  The  duty  assigned  to  me  on  this  occasion  is  one 
inost  pleasing.  We  are  not  here  to  celebrate  an  ordinary 
event.  We  are  here  to  do  honor  to  one  whose  name  and 
work  have  already  been  made  famous,  and  one  whom  future 
generations  will  no  less  love  to  honor  than  we,  his  present 
followers,  brethren,  and  admirers. 

"  '  Americans  will  never  forget  their  Washington,  and  so 
long  as  the  stars  and  stripes  float  on  the  breeze,  the  names 
of  Lincoln  and  Grant  will  be  spoken  with  reverence  and 
admiration. 

" '  Wherever  Masons  flourish,  whether  on  this  continent 
or  abroad,  they  will  continue  to  impress  upon  their  initiates 
the  sterling  qualities  of,  and  urge  them  to  imitate  in,  their 
daily  life  the  virtues  of  their  patron,  St.  John  the  Baptist, 
and  the  evangelist. 

"  '  Odd  Fellowship  will  never  tire  of  paying  fitting  tribute 
to  the  memory  of  Wildey,  and  so  on  I  might  continue 
through  a  long  list  of  mighty  nations  and  benevolent  asso- 
ciations, and  enumerate  scores  of  men,  who,  by  their  deeds 
and  works,  have  endeared  themselves  to  their  followers. 

" '  I  do  not  approve  of  man  w^orship;  I  do  not  relish  ex- 
cessive gush  and  extravagant  praises;  but  there  are  men 
whose  acts  in  behalf  of  humanity  have  singled  them  out  as 
public  benefactors,  and  of  whom  the  poet  writes  as  asking 
no  higher  sounding  tides,  no  greater  honors  than  to  be  truly 
classed  "as  those  who  love  their  fellow-men;"  and  when 
the  name  of  such  a  one  is  spoken,  or  his  deeds  rehearsed, 
I  am  only  too  willing  to  join  the  throng  in  rendering  that 
praise  and  honor  their  characters  warrant. 

"  '  Why  are  we  here,  brother  Workmen  ?  "What  occasion 
has   drawn   together  this  large   assemblage?     Why   these 


174  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

smiling  faces  and  warm  hearts,  with  welcome  expressed 
upon  every  countenance  ?  This  is  indeed  one  grand  wel- 
come, and  to  whom?  It  is  a  Montana  welcome  to  our 
own  dear  Father  Upchurch. 

" '  Seventeen  years  ago,  in  the  city  of  Meadville,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  little  body  of  men  were  called  together,  and 
then  and  there,  from  the  mind  and  hands  of  this  venerable 
gentleman,  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  was 
inaugurated.  The  insignificant  number  of  thirteen  em- 
braced the  entire  membership  for  that  day.  The  plan 
there  adopted,  the  principles  there  enunciated,  and  the 
bonds  there  consummated,  had  been  maturely  considered 
and  carefully  analyzed  by  our  distinguished  guest,  for 
months,  and  it  required  just  the  elements  of  character  he 
possessed,  and  the  determination  his  will  furnished,  to  set 
in  motion  a  work  that  has  to-day  far  exceeded  his  most 
sanguine  expectations,  and  has  developed  into  an  Order 
that  takes  its  place  most  deservedly  with  the  grandest  of  the 
world. 

" '  From  that  small  beginning,  like  the  trickling  stream 
on  yonder  Rockies,  it  has  grown  and  expanded,  until  to-day, 
like  a  mighty  river,  it  has  assumed  mammoth  proportions, 
and  contains  within  its  fold  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
good  and  true  men,  and  in  all  reasonable  probability  will, 
ere  another  seventeen  years  roll  by,  number  not  less  than 
half  a  million  members. 

"  '  The  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  seeks  not  to 
gratify  curiosity  by  mystical  parade  or  ceremonies ;  it  seeks 
not  to  draw  within  its  fold  seekers  after  light  amusement  or 
triflers  of  any  grade.  Its  objects  are  well  defined,  its  work 
can  easily  be  described,  and  its  record  is  that  of  performing 
all  its  promises,  and  that,  too,  with  promptness  and  in  the 
spirit  of  fraternity  and  true  brotherhood.  When  1  tell  you 
that  within  the  short  time  this  organization  has  existed  it 
has  paid  to  the  widows,  orphans,  and  legatees  of  six  thou- 
sand of  our  deceased  brethren,  twelve  million  dollars,  and 
over  one  million  dollars  to  our  brethren  for  sick  benefits,  I 
state  facts  that  are  borne  out  by  our  records.  When  I  state 
to  you  that  our  membership  is  now  scattered  throughout 


Address  of  J.  W.  Kinsley.  175 

every  State  and  Territory  of  this  Union,  and  also  in  the 
Canadas,  and  that  in  every  city,  town,  and  hamlet  therein, 
faitliful  men,  actuated  by  the  same  noble  sentiments,  by  the 
noble  attributes  inculcated  by  this  patriarch,  and  engaged 
in  the  work  he  first  organized,  I  state  that  which  is  known 
to  every  Workman  present. 

" '  What  more  appropriate  occasion  for  rejoicing  and  praise? 
What  so  fitting  as  this  demonstration  at  this  time?  Why, 
my  brothers,  we  have  right  here  with  us  upon  this  rostrum, 
in  your  very  presence  and  within  the  sound  of  our  voices, 
our  dear  old  Father  Upchurch.  We  have  here  with  us  our 
grand  old  founder,  to  whom  we  and  those  dependent  upon 
us  are  indebted  for  the  privileges  w^e  enjoy  of  being  Work- 
men. Why  should  we  withhold  our  sentiments  of  welcome, 
'of  praise,  of  admiration,  to  this  Abou  Ben  Adhem,  of  the 
nineteenth  century;  this  man  whom  the  Almighty  Father  of 
the  universe  has  made  the  humble  instrumentality  by  which 
one  of  his  noblest  works  for  the  amelioration  of  human 
suffering  was  given  to  us  ?  Why  should  we  restrain  our- 
selves when  the  opportunity  is  afforded  us  of  paying  fitting 
homage  to  one  whose  philanthropic  heart  beat  with  restless 
emotions,  until  he  had  overcome  all  difficulties  and  matured 
a  plan  to  dry  the  tears  of  the  widow  and  the  orphan;  to 
provide  for  them  without  the  intervention  of  charity;  to  set 
in  motion  an  agency  for  good  whose  full  w^ork  and  its  results 
can  never  be  known  until  the  last  great  day  of  accounting 
comes,  when  there  will  be  written  in  letters  of  sparkling 
brightness  over  the  archways  of  that  celestial  kingdom 
where  are  arranged  the  record  of  our  world's  greatest  and 
best  of  men,  that  of  J.  J.  Upchurch. 

"  '  No,  my  brethren,  we  need  offer  no  apologies  for  our 
words  or  actions  in  the  cordial  welcome  to-day.  Spare  not 
the  English  language,  Grand  Master  AVorkmen,  in  your 
words  of  welcome  to  our  honored  guest.  This  is  our  day; 
this  is  an  event  in  our  history  which  can  never  be  repeated. 
The  dread  destroyer  is  abroad  in  our  land,  and  even  though 
our  dear  old  brother  may  be  spared  for  many  years  to  come, 
yet  it  is  not  within  the  range  of  possibilities  that  all  of 
us  who  to-day  are  enjoying  the  pleasures  of  this  grand  ova- 


176  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

tion,  will  ever  meet  here  again;  hence  I  say,  Pull  the  valve 
clear  open;  let  all  heartily  unite;  let  all  restraint  be  gone, 
and  with  one  accord  enjoy  this  reunion  and  show  our  illus- 
trious founder  that  we  here  in  the  mountains  of  Montana, 
have  caught  the  inspiration;  that  we  have  interpreted  his 
meaning  correctly;  that  we  are  Workmen  full-fledged,  and 
that  the  interests  confided  to  our  keeping  here  are  in  safe 
hands. 

"  '  Grand  Master  Workmen,  my  task  v;ill  be  ended  now, 
when  I  formally  present  to  you,  and  through  you  to  the 
brethren  of  Montana,  our  honored  Father  and  Founder, 
Brother  J.  J.  Upchurch.' 

"  Hon.  James  Sullivan,  Grand  Master  Workman  of  this 
Jurisdiction,  responded  as  follows: — 

"  '  Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies,  and  Brethren:  This  is  in- 
deed a  momentous  occasion.  This  vast  assemblage,  gath- 
ered from  our  mountains  and  plains,  from  our  mines  and 
plowshares,  from  the  various  portions  of  our  Territory,  and 
in  this  presence,  is  one  few  of  us  ever  expected  to  witness 
and  enjoy. 

''  'The  sounds  of  booming  cannon  and  tolling  bells  have 
hardly  died  away,  which  demonstration  betokened  the  de- 
parture of  one  of  our  country's  noblest  and  bravest  heroes. 
That  event  caused  a  nation  to  mourn,  and  in  every  city, 
town,  and  hamlet,  patriots  assembled  to  do  homage  to  the 
memory  of  the  departed. 

"  '  It  has  been  truly  said  that  there  are  occasions  when  it 
is  meet  for  nations  and  communities  to  assemble  and  pay 
fitting  tribute  to  merit  and  true  worth.  How  eminently 
proper  it  is,  my  brothers,  that  we  have  congregated  here  to- 
day! How  happily  can  we  contrast  our  situation  with  that 
of  our  countrymen  of  a  few  weeks  since! 

"  'We  are  here  to  do  homage  to  our  living;  one  not  hon- 
ored with  the  title  of  a  conquering  hero  on  fields  of  bat- 
tle, but  one  who  has  been  worthily  crowned  with  the 
glorious  mantle  of  originating  a  plan  that  has  contributed  so 
much  toward   conquering  the   twin  monsters — poverty  and 


Address  of  James  Sullivan.  177 

degradation;  one  who  by  his  persistence  has  matured  a 
plan  that  has  driven  want  and  distress  from  six  thousand 
firesides,  and  erected  in  their  place  the  standard  of  hope 
and  protection. 

"  '  As  Grand  Master  AVorkman  of  this  Jurisdiction,  and 
on  its  behalf,  it  becomes  my  province  and  pleasure  to  ex- 
tend the  hand  of  hearty  welcome  to  our  honored  and 
revered  Brother  Upchurch. 

'"It  has  been  said  that  a  pebble  thrown  into  the  tide 
affects  all  the  water  in  the  ocean.  The  small  mountain 
stream  is  the  source  of  a  mighty  river;  from  the  smallest 
spark  is  kindled  the  sweeping  conflagration;  and  a  single 
idea  evolved  from  the  mind  of  the  most  lowly,  frequently 
permeates  and  astonishes  the  world. 

"  •'  I  do  not  suppose  that  the  venerable  founder  of  our 
glorious  Order,  who  to-day  is  the  guest  of  the  Montana 
Workmen,  ever  imagined  that  his  beneficent  system  of 
fraternity  would  grow  to  the  magnificent  proportions  that  it 
has  attained;  and  that  seventeen  years  from  the  time  the 
first  Lodge  of  United  Workmen  was  organized,  he  would  be 
the  honored  subject  of  a  reception  from  his  children  among 
the  mountains  of  this  far  West. 

'• '  From  the  hills  of  Pennsylvania  the  Order  and  the  fame 
of  its  founder  have  spread  with  a  growth  unparalleled,  until 
to-day,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  it  enfolds  with  its 
fraternal  blessings  the  representatives  of  every  walk  in    life. 

" '  The  laborer  of  the  East  in  all  its  diversity  joins  the 
brother  laborer  of  the  West,  and  the  anchor  and  shield  in- 
spire alike  the  Workman  at  the  spindles  of  New  England, 
the  toiler  in  the  cereal  fields  of  Ohio,  the  farmer  on  the 
wide  acres  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  the  hopeful  miner 
of  these  mountains  and  on  the  Pacific  slope. 

'"The  benefits  of  brotherly  affiliation  and  solicitude  in- 
crease the  joys  of  a  thousand  homes  and  change  the  tears 
of  widowhood  to  the  hopeful  assurance  of  security  from 
pressing  want. 

"  '  The  term  Fraternity,  in  its  true  and  full  sense,  compre- 
hends more  than  mere  forms  and  ceremonies.  It  means 
the  generous   protecting  arms  of  the  many  and    the    strong 

12 


178  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

about  the  weak  and  needy.  It  means  fewer  outcasts  and 
paupers  and  more  of  civilization  and  progress.  Show  me  a 
community  where  fraternal  societies  flourish,  and  I  will 
challenge  you  to  find  crowded  poor-houses  or  jails.  Who 
ever  heard  of  a  member  of  a  society  of  this  class  being  car- 
ried "  over  the  hills  to  the  poor-house"?  Who  ever  heard 
of  a  deceased  member  being  buried  in  the  potter's  field  or  a 
pauper's  grave  ? 

"  '  Search  our  penal  institutions  for  faithful  members  of 
our  organizations,  and  you  do  so  in  vain.  Therefore,  I  say 
to  yoUj  fellow-citizens,  of  all  grades  and  classes,  never  go 
upon  record,  either  by  word  or  deed,  as  placing  any  obstacle 
in  the  way  of  progress  of  fraternal  societies.  Rather  let 
your  influence  and  example  tend  to  increase  their  strength 
and  usefulness,  and  thus  assist  them  in  their  noble  work. 
Do  not  allow  yourselves  to  be  deceived  as  to  the  objects 
and  aims  of  these  societies.  They  are  substantially  alike, 
and  when  I  quote  to  you  a  brief  extract  from  the  preamble 
of  the  organization,  I  outline  to  you  the  general  work  of 
fraternities.     It  runs  thus: — 

"'Omitting  all  references  to  nationality,  political  opin- 
ions, or  denominational  distinction  or  preferences,  but  be- 
lieving in  the  existence  of  a  God,  the  Creator  and  Preserver 
of  the  universe,  and  recognizing  as  a  fundamental  prin- 
ciple of  our  Order,  that  usefulness  to  ourselves  and  others  is 
a  duty  which  should  be  the  constant  aim  and  care  of  all;  to 
embrace  and  give  protection  to  all  classes  of  all  kinds  of 
labor,  mental  and  physical;  to  strive  earnestly  to  improve 
the  moral,  intellectual,  and  social  condition  of  its  members; 
to  endeavor  by  moral  precepts,  fratersal  admonitions,  and 
substantial  aid,  to  inspire  a  due  appreciation  of  the  stern 
realities  and  responsibilities  of  life, — these  are  the  funda- 
mental principles  as  taught  and  inculcated  by  the  Order 
which  you  originated. 

"  '  In  behalf  of  this  Jurisdiction,  greater  in  area  than  any 
other,  in  age  but  an  infant;  in  behalf  of  these  Workmen, 
your  followers,  toiling  with  strong  arms  and  noble  hearts, 
nerved  and  supported  by  fraternal  assurance;  in  behalf  of 
the  homes  which  they  represent,  in  valley  or  in  mountain 


Address  of  James  Sullivan.  179 


glen — I  extend  to  you,  Brother  Upchurch,  father  and  founder 
of  our  Order,  the  heartiest  welcome  which  feeble  language 
can  express. 

"'We  meet  here  as  strangers  by  kin,  but  as  brothers  by 
honored  ties.  So  many  thoughts  and  hopes  are  common, 
so  many  impulses  and  aspirations,  the  same  in  character, 
move  our  hearts,  that  a  formal  introduction  immediately 
^rows  into  an  intimate  acquaintanceship,  and  adopting,  to- 
day, the  characteristic  friendship  imposed  by  the  ritual, 
which  you  yourself  formulated,  which  calls  all  to  a  common 
level,  the  rich  from  his  mansion,  the  poor  from  his  cottage, 
we  cast  aside  all  formalities  existing  between  strangers,  and 
welcome  you  to  our  hearts  and  homes. 

"'You  have  traveled  over  our  Jurisdiction,  and  have 
observed  its  magnitude,  and  are  familiar  with  the  progress 
we  have  made  in  so  short  a  time. 

" '  You  have  probably  been  reminded  that  rare  plants 
sometimes  grow  in  obscure  places;  that  flowers  are  bloom- 
ing near  snow-banks,  and  in  rugged  fastnesses  of  desolate 
mountains,  forever  unseen,  except  by  the  prospector  or 
Imnter.  So  the  Workmen  among  the  sage  brush  and  the 
mountain-tops  present  to  you  a  Jurisdiction  permeated  by 
the  same  zeal,  the  same  philanthrophy  and  charity,  which 
actuated  you,  its  original  founder. 

" '  We  are  reminded  to-day  by  your  work,  life,  and  char- 
acter, that  all  the  elements  of  true  manhood  are  not 
furnished  by  accident  of  birth,  nor  by  advantages  of  educa- 
tion, nor  even  by  social  position.  And  it  is,  perhaps, 
fortunate  that  a  discriminating  public  can  and  do  place 
their  own  estimate  upon  many  of  our  would-be  leaders  of 
society,  who,  having  little  else  to  stand  upon,  saving  their 
assurance  and  conceit,  the  bare  semblance  of  worth  that 
wealth  gives  them,  are  too  ready  to  forget  their  early  past; 
that  others,  perhaps  quite  as  deserving  as  they,  are  strug- 
gling to  cover  the  ground  which  they  have  just  compassed; 
that  there  is  still  undeveloped  talent  only  waiting  the  op- 
portune turn  in  the  wheel  of  fortune  to  shine  forth,  that 
may  be  more  brilliant  than  theirs. 

<*  *  Thank  God,  there  are  true  and  noble  men  standing 


180  Life  of  Father  tJpcHURCil. 

along  the  pathway  of  history,  who  were  neither  kings  nor 
warriors,  nor  blue-blooded  aristocrats.  i\nd  so  long  as  the 
world  can  point  to  a  village  Hampden,  the  master-spirit  of 
a  more  liberal  government;  a  Hugh  Miller,  the  stone-cutter, 
v/ho,  while  at  his  work,  composed  that  masterpiece  of 
English  literature  and  science,  "Foot-prints  of  the  Creator;" 
so  long  as  history  records  the  fact  that  the  great  philosopher 
and  statesman,  Benjamin  Franklin,  arose  from  the  humble 
caUing  of  a  printer;  Henry  Wilson,  once  a  shoemaker,  and 
late  Vice-President  of  these  United  States;  so  long  as  a 
Webst  T  or  a  Clay  lives  in  the  annals  of  the  lowly  great, 
so  long  will  the  humble  strive,  and  the  world  lay  its  laurels 
at  the  feet  of  true  merit. 

"'You  belfold  in  this  Western  branch  of  your  family  a 
band  of  noble  Workmen,  living  for  the  highest  manly 
qualities.  By  the  very  conditions  of  our  Western  life  and 
rushing  enterprise,  our  society  considers  not  rank  nor  pedi- 
gree, but  recognizes  the  development  of  manliness,  which 
it  is  ever  ready  to  commend  and  reward. 

"'We  are  all  toilers;  we  are  workmen  engaged  in  the 
conquest  of  nature.  Mountains  yield  to  our  bidding,  and 
pour  forth  their  treasures  without  stint,  and  the  fruits  of  a 
permanent  civilization  are  already  ripening  as  the  result  of 
our  industry. 

" '  It  must,  indeed,  be  a  source  of  personal  satisfaction 
to  you,  in  this  your  Western  pilgrimage,  to  know  that  even 
here  your  work  has  erected  monuments  which  can  never  be 
effaced.  The  rich  heritage  of  our  present  civilization  is 
the  product  of  innumerable  minds  and  hands.  In  most 
cases  their  possessors  are  unknown  and  forgotten,  and  it  is 
very  seldom  that  from  the  ruins  of  oblivion  history  rescues 
an  idea,  a  system  of  laws,  or  an  institution  with  the  name 
and  character  of  the  originator. 

"  '  The  waters  of  mighty  rivers  are  mingled  in  a  common 
ocean,  and  in  no  way,  however  sparkling,  can  their  identity 
be  traced.  On  Egyptian  plains  were  built  pyramids  in 
commemoration  of  kings,  and  mounds  of  earth  remain,  to- 
gether with  only  a  shadow  of  tradition  of  those  who  reared 
them.     But  with  you,  honored  sir,  responding  to  the  neces- 


Address  of  James  Sullivan.  181 

sities  of  an  advanced  civilization,  with  motives  the  purest 
and  the  best,  you  have  inaugurated  a  system  whose  in- 
creasing growth  assures  its  everlasting,  permanency,  and 
which  will  need  no  printed  page  to  preserve  the  history  of 
its  purposes  or  the  name  of  its  founder.  In  six  thousand 
h.omes,  preserved  and  cheered;  in  thousands  of  hearts  com- 
forted; in  innumerable  lives  freed  from  despondency  and 
despair,  strengthened  by  kind  words  and  fraternal  hopes, 
will  be  perpetually  engrafted  the  purposes,  history,  and  ex- 
emplification of  our  Order. 

"  '  In  looking  out  upon  the  audience  to-day,  representing 
so  many  homes  our  Order  is  protecting,  composed  of  so 
many  who  will  sooner  or  later  become  the  natural  bene- 
ficiaries of  the  great  work  in  which  we  are  engaged,  the 
grandeur  of  our  system  is  so  impressed  upon  our  minds  that 
the  contemplation  of  possible  results  already  compensates 
us  for  the  time  and  money  invested;  and  the  present  satis- 
faction of  being  but  an  humble  factor  in  so  grent  an  in- 
stitution, is  to  us  a  full  dividend  from  the  standpoint  of 
duty,  and  the  satisfaction  of  doing  unto  others  as  we  would 
that  they  should  do  unto  us. 

" '  Our  work  in  this  Jurisdiction  is  but  begun,  and  should 
your  life  be  spared  to  return  to  us,  even  though  your  hair 
be  more  silvered  by  the  work  of  time,  and  with  enfeebled 
step  you  may  come,  you  will  always  find  the  term  "Mon- 
tana Workman,"  to  mean  a  warm  fraternal  heart,  beating 
within  the  breast  of  an  honest  man,  with  all  that  the  terms 
imply,  and  by  whom  you  will  then,  as  now,  be  cordially 
welcomed. 

" '  I  cannot  let  this  opportunity  pass,  my  brothers,  with- 
out saying  a  few  words  to  you,  suggested  by  this  occasion. 
The  proud  position  which  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  occupies  to-day  in  the  ranks  of  great  organiza- 
tions, is  due  to  earnest,  faithful,  and  persistent  work,  and  to 
maintain  its  present  standard,  and  raise  it  to  even  grander 
proportions,  should  prompt  every  one  of  you  to  increased 
zeal  and  fidelity  to  the  interests  confided  to  your  care.  It 
1*5  not  sufficient  to  promise  faithfully  to  perform  an  act,  and 
then  evade  its  burdens;  nor  that  you  have  induced  others, 


182  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

either  by  personal  solicitation  or  by  example,  to  become 
members  of  our  Order,  the  meetings  of  which  you  seldom 
attend,  and  of  whicli  you  know  but  little,  except  by  hear:5ay. 
Can  you  reconcile  such  conduct  to  the  duty  you  owe  to 
your  family  and  loved  ones? 

"'Your  connection  with  this  organization,  which  agrees 
to  pay  over  to  your  dependents  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
dollars,  has  led  them  to  believe  that  the  fear  of  destitution, 
which  might  stare  them  in  the  face  were  you  taken  from 
them,  is  no  longer  visible;  that  you  have  made  a  sure  pro- 
vision for  them.  Yet  you  would  trifle  with  their  dearest 
expectations;  you  peril  their  interests;  you  deliberately  de- 
ceive them,  when  you  unnecessarily  and  wantonly  neglect 
to  pay  your  assessments  promptly  when  called  upon,  or 
refuse  to  bear  your  share  of  the  burden  attendant  upon  the 
proper  working  of  your  Lodge.  Pardon  me,  my  brothers, 
if  too  severe;  but  I  plead  in  the  interest  of  those  you  should 
love,  and  are  bound  by  the  strongest  human  ties  to  protect, 
and  I  should  be  doing  less  than  my  duty  in  the  position 
which  I  now  occupy,  were  I  to  do  less  than  call  your  care- 
ful attention  to  this  matter  thus  forcibly. 

"  '  If  you  will  but  study  and  live  up  to  your  obligations, 
you  will  find  that  the  light  of  true  fellowship  which  this 
organization  so  generously  teaches  has  been  a  beacon  to 
many  a  brother  tempted  to  wander  from  the  paths  of  virtue 
and  integrity.  It  has  shed  a  friendly  ray  of  hope  upon 
thousands  who  might  otherwise  have  drifted  upon  the  rocks 
of  adversity.  It  has  shone  with  unparalleled  effulgence 
upon  the  sorrowing  widows  and  orphaned  babes,  and  it  will 
gleam  in  the  hearts  of  the  bereft  and  unfortunate  of  its  fold 
until,  like  a  glittering  gas-jet,  eclipsed  by  the  more  dazzling 
rays  of  an  electric  spark,  it  is  lost  in  the  glories  of  the  land 
that  is  fairer  than  day,  where  the  billows  of  adversity  roll 
no  more,  and  the  storm  of  life  is  succeeded  by  a  holy  calm, 
to  endure  through  the  boundless  expanse  of  eternity.' 

"  Father  Upchurch  then  responded  most  feelingly,  giving 
free  expression  to  his  appreciation  of  the  cordial  welcome 
extended  him,  and  in  the  course  of  his  remarks  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  earnestness  and  zeal  with  which  his  efforts  in 


Poem.  ^  183 

behalf  of  /lis  Order  have  been  exerted.     His  remarks  were 
frequently  and  heartily  applauded. 

"John  W.  Eddy,  Past  Master  of  Protection  Lodge,  then 
read  the  following 

POEM. 

When  wisdom  once  had  formed  a  plan 

Of  vast  concern,  she  saw 
The  need  of  one  intrepid  man 

To  execute  her  law, 

And  so  began  a  weary  round, 

Determined  she  would  find 
Somewhere  a  man  whose  qualities 

Were  suited  to  her  mind. 

And  long  she  went  her  patient  rounds 

In  eager,  anxious  search, 
Nor  rested  till  at  last  she  found 

Our  honored  friend  Upchurch. 

AVhen  he  was  found  the  work  was  done, 

And  now,  from  far  and  near, 
The  voices  of  his  loving  ones 

He  may  distinctly  hear; 

The  voices  of  the  friends  who  stand 

United,  strong,  and  true. 
And  shed  a  luster  on  the  land — 

A.  O.  U.  W. 


PENNSYLVANIA. 

We're  the  Keystone  State  of  the  Union, 
Where  you  in  your  manhood's  prime 
Established  fraternal  communion, 
To  grow  through  all  coming  time. 
In  love  we  address  you, 
And  all  say,  God  bless  you, 
Again  and  again, 
Amen  and  amen ! 


184  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 


OHIO. 

And  we  are  the  Buckeye  State, 
The  second  in  point  of  age, 
In  honor  the  second, 
Where  honor  is  reckoned 
As  an  earthly  heritage. 
But  you'll  find  us  as  true 
As  the  heavens  are  blue, 
When  the  Master's  final  award  is  made. 
When  the  Workmen's  wages  at  last  are  paid. 


KENTUCKY. 

And  we  are  Kentucky. 

If  not  large,  we're  lucky 
To  be  counted  worthy  to  stand 

'Mong  the  true  and  the  good 

Of  our  grand  brotherhood. 
That  surely  is  blessing  the  land. 

We're  third  in  the  line, 

And  loyal  and  trustful  and  true. 

We  gratefully  twine 

The  laurel  and  myrtle  for  you. 


INDIANA. 


Kind  fortune  we  thank, 
That  we're  fourth  in  the  rank 

Of  age  in  this  glorious  Order. 
We're  small,  but  we  know 
If  we  live,  we  shall  grow, 

And  lengthen  and  strengthen  our  border. 
Though  sometimes  he  is  tardy, 
A  Hoosier  is  hardy. 

And  stays  like  a  November  snow. 


Poem.  185 

IOWA. 

We  are  from  Iowa, 

And  you'll  never  know  a 
More  staunch  Lodge  of  brothers  than  ours. 

To  be  sure,  the  restrictions 

Placed  on  Jurisdictions 
We  thought  were  curtailing  our  powers, 

And  made  us  rebel ; 

But  now,  joy  to  tell, 
We're  back  'mong  the  bowers  and  flowers, 

And  will  never  more  trouble  you, 

Nor  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
While  it  shall  protect  us  and  ours. 


NEW  YORK. 

We're  the  Empire  State, 

Magnificent  and  great, 
And  the  largest  beneficiary  known; 

And  we're  proud  to  be  the  guest 

Of  this  Empire  of  the  West, 
For  its  grandeur  soon  will  quite  eclipse  our  own. 

And  from  all  the  good  and  true 

Here  is  royal  homage  due 
To  the  venerable  founder  of  our  clan; 

And  we  bring  it  now  to  you, 

And  we  ask  the  world  to  view 
And  appreciate  this  kingly-hearted  man. 


ILLINOIS. 

We're  the  State  of  Illinois, 

And  the  third  in  point  of  size ; 
And  our  fifteen  thousand  boys 

May  the  country  yet  surprise, 
For  we've  set  our  aims  as  high 

As  our  purposes  are  good ; 
And  to  stand  the  first  will  try, 

In  our  noble  brotherhood. 


186  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

MISSOURI. 

Like  our  mighty  flowing  river, 

We  are  following  along 
In  a  restless,  growing  column 

Fully  fourteen  thousand  strong! 
Not  alone  the  great  Missouri 

Is  all  worthy  of  our  theme, 
For  our  Brooks  has  won  the  honor- 
Master  Workman  now  Supreme. 
And  at  last,  our  honored  father, 

You  have  sought  our  prairie  West, 
And  within  our  Jurisdiction 

Found  a  peaceful  home  and  rest. 
And  we  trust  you'll  never  leave  us 

Till  the  day  of  life  expire. 
And  you  hear  our  all-wise  Master 

Saying,  "  Brother,  come  up  higher." 


MINNESOTA. 

And  we  are  Minnesota; 
Though  we  are  a  mere  iota. 

In  the  aggregate  display, 
We  hope  next  year  to  meet  you 
In  our  own  State,  and  to  greet  you 

With  an  excellent  array 
Of  names  of  added  brothers, 
Till  our  Lodge  vies  with  the  others, 

In  the  foremost  rank  to-day. 


WISCONSIN. 

And  we  are  Wisconsin, 

With  our  hopes  set  high, 
That  we  may  rank  proudly 

In  the  sweet  by  and  by. 
Our  Lodge  is  as  loyal. 

And  as  fondly  true. 
As  flowers  are  fragrant 

That  we  bring  to  you. 


Poem.  187 


TENNESSEE. 

We  are  from  the  home  of  Frizzell 

In  the  good  State  of  Tennessee, 
And  we've  not  a  good  story  to  tell 
For  a  people  as  thrifty  as  we. 
We've  been  unlucky, 
But  still  we're  plucky, 
And  bound  to  make  the  future  see 
Our  Order  thrive  in  Tennessee. 


MICHIGAN. 

If  you  want  to  be  rich  again, 

Just  come  to  Michigan ! 
Where  the  Order  is  healthy  and  strong, 

And  there  you  will  find 

The  very  best  kind 
Of  spirits  around  you  will  throng. 

There  is  Baxter,  whom  you  know 

Dealt  the  rebels  such  a  blow 
As  brought  them  in  a  hurry  into  place; 

And  come  whene'er  you  may, 

We  will  celebrate  the  day 
When  you  come  to  look  our  brothers  in  the  face. 


CALIFORNIA. 

The  sun  lights  the  East  till  the  hill-tops  are  burning, 

But  ever  delights  in  his  haunt  of  the  West, 
And  always  again  in  his  journey  returning, 

He  leaves  his  last  smile  on  the  land  he  loves  best. 
Down  in  the  Golden  State, 
Through  her  bright  "  Golden  Gate," 
Shines  the  pure  light  of  the  Order  we  love. 
And  may  it  ever  grow. 
Till  by  its  heavenly  glow 
We  all  at  last  may  know 
Charity,  Hope,  and  Protection  above. 


188  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

From  the  Golden  State  we  hear 
Voices  of  the  gladdest  cheer, 
And  from  all  in  fond  acclaim 
Blessings  on  your  honored  name. 


GEORGIA,  ALABAMA,  MISSISSIPPI,  NORTH  AKD  SOUTH 
CAROLINA,  AND  FLORIDA. 

North  and  South  Carolina 

And  Georgi.a  on  the  coast, 
Florida  and  Alabama, 

The  happy  Southron's  boast, 
And  Mississippi  added — 

All  these  together  are 
The  smallest  Jurisdiction 

In  the  Order  now  by  far ! 
Our  gratulations  are  as  true 

And  hearty  as  the  others; 
We  never  mean  to  be  outdone 

As  loyal  Workman  brothers ! 


KANSAS. 

Ivansas  is  prosperous  and  health)^, 
Becoming  prominent  and  wealthy; 

Jayhawkers  and  Bushwhackers, 
And  the  ruffians  of  the  border, 

Have  sunken  into  shadows 

In  the  pure  light  of  our  Order. 
For  the  bow  of  freedom  spans  us. 
And  the  peace  of  Heaven  fans  us, 
And  the  love  of  country  mans  us. 
On  the  fertile  plains  of  Kansas. 


ONTARIO. 


We're  Englishmen  from  foreign  soil, 
And  wary  O,  and  chary  O, — 

United  brothers,  sons  of  toil, 
From  Province  of  Ontario, 


Poem.  189 


Will  drop  our  aitches,  doff  our  hats, 

Endeavoring,  if  we  can, 
To  make  all  pride  of  name  or  birth 

Merge  in  the  brother  man. 


OREGON,  WASHINGTON  TERRITORY,  AND  BRITISH 
COLUMBIA. 


We're  Oregon  and  Washington, 

Nevada's  jealous  neighbor, 
Two  years  ago  just  twice  her  size; 
But  now,  despite  our  labor, 
She's  grown  to  be 
As  large  as  we, 
^ .     Our  lively,  lovely  neighbor! 
'^^od  bless  her,  and  God  bless  us  all. 
The  good  of  one  is  joy  for  all. 


MASSACHUSETTS  AND  NEW  ENGLAND. 

And  we  are  the  Yankees, 
But  just  where  our  rank  is, 

It  might  be  hard  to  show. 
We're  always  bound  to  shine 
•  In  the  transcendental  line. 

And  that  all  people  know. 
We're  good  at  making  shoes, 

And  at  making  shoe-pegs; 
And  its  nuts  for  anybody 

To  crack  our  nutmegs! 
We've  always  been  original 

As  the  aboriginee, 
And  doubtless  from  the  Indians  got 

Our  ingenuity. 
If  you  don't  believe  we've  got  it, 

Just  inquire  of  Doherty ! 


190  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

MARYLAND,  NEW  JERSEY,  AND  DELAWARE. 
New  Jersey  on  the  coast, 

And  diamond  Delaware, 
A  Jurisdiction  make, 

With  Maryland,  the  fair. 
From  the  shore  of  the  Atlantic 

Westward  evermore 
O'er  the  continent  gigantic 

To  Pacific  shore, 
With  a  history  romantic 

Never  known  before, 
Our  Order  that  you  founded 

Has  spread  from  shore  to  shore. 
Her  ^gis  now  is  honored 

The  whole  wide  country  o'er. 


TEXAS,  LOUISIANA,  AND  ARKANSAS^ 
Hard  luck,  no  doubt,  will  often  vex  us, 
And  well  we  say  it  may  vex  Texas; 
Three  years  ago  we  felt  quite  thrifty 
With  our  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty, 
And  we're  certain  we  could  now  send 
Names  of  more  than  our  two  thousand! 
But  alas !  Time's  a  deceiver! 
What,  with  all  our  yellow  fever 
And  the  trouble  that  came  to  us, 
Threatening  sometimes  to  undo  us. 
We've  done  very  well,  we're  thinking. 
That  we  saved  ourselves  from  sinking. 
Our  Order  yet  may  notice  Texas 
Standing  where  she  least  expects  us. 
Though  fates  may  frown,  we  will  not  mind  them; 
Darkest  clouds  have  light  behind  them. 


NEVADA,  MONTANA,  UTAH,  WYOMING,  AND  IDAHO. 

And  we  are  from  Nevada, 
Than  which  you  never  had  a 


Poem.  191 

Fairer,  brighter  jewel  in  your  sparkling  crown. 
Our  motto  is  still  onward, 
And  onward  still  and  sunward; 
And  we'll  add  a  gleam  of  splendor  and  renown 
To  the  name  we  love  the  most 
'Mong  the  loyal  Workman's  host. 
Four  Territories  and  a  State 

In  this  inter-mountain  land, 
Make  one  Jurisdiction  great, 

Which  forevermore  shall  stand 
As  a  bulwark  to  the  right, 

As  a  barrier  to  wrong. 
And  make  living  a  delight. 

And  its  end  a  crown  and  son<]^. 


-COLORADO,  NEW  MEXICO,  AND  ARIZONA. 

We're  the  baby  Jurisdiction, 

Born  not  quite  a  year  ago, 

Colorado,  Arizona,  added  to  New  Mexico, 
Have  so  soon  a  Grand  Lodge  gathered 

That  beholders  all  have  wondered, 
For  in  their  babyhood  they  count 

Two  thousand  and  five  hundred. 
O  father  of  us  all!  we  bring 

One  voice  from  all  these  brothers. 
May  God  reward  you  with  the  good 

That  you've  conferred  on  others  ! 

"  On  the  conclusion  of  the  poem,  Dr.  C.  K.  Cole  gave 
some  very  interesting  statistics,  showing  the  date  of  organi- 
zation, and  progress  made  by  the  Order  in  this  Jurisdiction, 
which  wound  up  as  follows: — 

" '  Last  year  we  paid  to  the  beneficiaries  of  our  Jurisdiction 
twenty -eight  thousand  dollars.  From  the  date  of  the  insti- 
tution of  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  i,  at  Eureka,  to  the  present 
time,  we  have,  in  this  inter-mountain  section  alone,  paid 
out  to  similar  persons  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars; 
while  our  Order  at  large  paid  out  something  over  two  million 


192  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

dollars  last  year  alone,  and,  as  has  been  stated,  our  total 
payments  of  this  character  exceeded  thirteen  million.  And 
now,  my  brethren,  in  conclusion,  let  me  admonish  you  per- 
sonally, to  a  continued  fidelity  to  our  beloved  Order.  May 
you  be  protected  by  the  Watchman  on  high,  who  never 
slumbers.  May  you  be  directed  by  that  Guide  who  will 
lead  you  in  paths  of  rectitude  and  honor.  May  your  ac- 
count with  the  Great  Financier  always  show  you  to  be  square 
on  the  books.  May  the  Receiver  always  have  a  score  of 
noble  deeds  to  your  credit.  May  the  Recorder  inscribe  on 
the  pages  of  your  history,  many,  many  valiant  deeds  of 
charity  and  protection.  Let  the  Great  Overseer  see  you  are 
well  instructed  in  the  tenets  of  our  Order.  Constitute 
yourselves  each  a  Foreman  in  all  acts  of  love  and  kindness, 
and  finally  become  Master  Workman  in  that  best  and  truest 
sense,  excelling  m  all  that  goes  to  make  true  men  and 
useful  members  of  society.' 

"In  conclusion,  the  following  letter  was  received  and 
read: — 

"'Ogden  City,  Utah,  September  5,  1885. 
"'W.  M.  BuLLARD,  Chairman  Upchurch  Reception  Com- 
mittee— Dear  Sir  ajid  Brother:  All  of  us  watch  with  deep 
interest  the  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  Brother  Past 
Grand  Master  Workman  J.  J.  Upchurch,  in  your  city,  by  ye 
Workmen  of  ye  North,  with  the  foreknowledge  that  the  last 
''  grand  wind-up  "  by  your  father  of  his  children  on  the  Pa- 
cific slope,  will  not  be  excelled  by  any  similar  event  in  the 
history  of  our  Order,  and  could  not  be  equaled  outside  of 
the  limits  of  this  Jurisdiction. 

'"Fraternally  yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

D.  Thornburn,  Gra?id  Recorder.^ " 

The  meeting  then  dispersed,  I  being  escorted  to  the  hotel 
by  the  Select  Knights,  headed  by  a  band.  A  number  of 
brothers  came  thirty  miles  in  wagons — one  brother  coming 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  miles  especially  to  attend  this 
meetino;.     We  were  invited  to  visit  the  theater  in  the  even- 


He  Views  the  City.  193 

ing,  which  we  did.  At  ten  o'clock  we  visited  the  grand  ball 
given  in  honor  of  the  occasion.  In  the  evening  I  was  in- 
troduced to  Thomas  Powers,  the  largest  stock-raiser  in  the 
Territory.  He  stated  that  he  had  always  been  opposed  to 
secret  societies,  but  something  told  him  to  go  to  the  Opera 
House  that  afternoon;  he  must  confess  that  I  captured  him 
on  the  first  charge.  He  thought  it  was  the  grandest  insti- 
tution known,  and  was  calculated  to  do  the  greatest  amount 
of  good. 

I  presented  Alta  Lodge,  No.  4,  and  Union  Lodge,  No.  3, 
with  a  large-sized  lithograph  of  myself,  to  hang  in  their 
hall. 

September  9  Brother  Burns  called  with  a  buggy  for  me; 
we  drove  around  town.  There  are  many  fine,  substantial 
buildings,  with  a  United  States  Assayer's  office,  churches, 
schools,  etc.  We  stopped  at  the  residence  of  Brother 
Burns,  where  he  presented  me  with  a  fine  specimen  of  gold 
quartz;  also  his  estimable  lady  presented  me  with  some  fine 
nuggets  of  gold  to  have  bosom  studs  made  of. 

Grand  Master  Sullivan  then  came  up,  and  we  drove  out 
to  the  Hot  Springs,  a  nice  place  of  resort.  I  took  a  warm 
bath.  In  the  evening  a  number  of  brothers  met  in  my  room, 
and  presented  me  with  seventy  dollars. 

I  was  much  astonished  at  my  reception  in  this  city,  to  see 
so  much  interest  taken  in  the  Order.  They  are  full  of  fra- 
ternity, nothing  being  too  great  for  them  to  do  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  principles  of  our  beloved  Order.  The 
people  of  this  Jurisdiction  certainly  descended  from  the  same 
stock  I  found  in  California.  The  remembrance  of  the  kind- 
ness received  at  the  hands  of  the  brothers  here,  will  be  ever 
held  in  remembrance. 

13 


194       Life  of  Father  Qpchurch. 

on  the  way  home. 

September  lo,  in  the  morning,  I  was  accompanied  to  the 
depot  by  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  J.  W.  Kinsley,  Grand 
Master  Workman  James  Sullivan,  and  Brother  Burns.  I 
bade  farewell  to  the  brothers,  took  a  sleeper,  and  was  soon  on 
my  return  home.  At  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  crossed  the  Mis- 
souri River,  it  being  only  sixty  feet  wide;  vegetation  in  the 
valley  green  and  fresh,  while  that  on  the  hills  was  dry.  Farm- 
ers were  cutting  oats,  and  it  was  quite  green. 

Maitland  is  a  station  in  the  midst  of  the  finest  valley  in 
the  Territory.  Its  yield  of  wheat  is  from  fifty  to  sixty  bush- 
els per  acre  and  oats  from  seventy  to  ninety.  On  the  right, 
coming  East,  there  is  a  long  range  of  snow-capped  mount- 
ains. 

Bozeman  is  a  fine  little  city,  with  some  fine  brick  build- 
mgs,  in  the  midst  of  a  fertile  valley  from  ten  to  thirty  miles 
wide. 

Livingston  is  where  passengers  take  the  branch  road  for 
I  he  Yellowstone  Park.  A  heavy  storm  was  raging  on  the 
mountains,  but  did  not  reach  the  valley. 

Billings  is  a  small  place.  Wm.  B.  Webb,  of  Billings, 
Montana,  I  met  on  the  train.  He  says  the  Lodge  was  in- 
-  stituted  one  year  ago,  with  fifteen  charter  members.  To- 
day they  have  forty  members,  who  are  very  much  interested 
in  the  work  of  the  Order. 

September  ii  Glendive  was  reached  at  six  oclock,  a.  m., 
^  small  town  having  a  round-house.  Passed  through  the 
Bad  Lands,  scenery  very  picturesque.  There  seems  to 
have  been  a  general  washout,  leaving  many  points  standing 
in  all  conceivable  shapes  from  ten  to  fifty  feet  high,  and 
they  extend  into  Idaho. 

Dickens  is  quite  a  town;  there  being  one  firm  that  deals  in 


Arrival  Home  and  Reception.  195 

various  kinds  of  furs,  horns,  and  other  curiosities.  Ahiiost 
fifteen  miles  east  I  saw  the  first  and  only  antelope  go  bound- 
ing over  the  prairie. 

Bismarck  is  a  fine  little  city  and  is  the  capital  of  Idaho. 
The  State  House  is  built  of  brick  and  there  are  many  other 
substantial  brick  buildings.  It  has  a  population  of  three 
thousand  five  hundred. 

I  reached  Minneapolis  at  twelve  o'clock,  m.,  and  sent  a 
telegram  home  that  I  would  be  there  on  Monday.  Took 
train  for  St.  Louis  at  half  past  three  o'clock,  p.  m. 

September  14  I  reached  home  on  the  three  o'clock  train. 
The  following  will  show  my  reception  there: — 

HIS    RECEPTION. 
[From  the  Crawford  Mirror.^ 

"  As  our  readers  are  aware,  Founder  J.  J.  Upchurch,  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  has  spent  the  last 
three  months  visiting  in  California  and  Oregon,  whither  he 
went  on  invitation  of  the  Order  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  His 
stay  there  was  one  continuous  ovation,  and  no  man  ever  re- 
ceived greater  honor,  or  was  more  generally  eulogized  than 
has  been  our  distinguished  citizen. 

"  A  telegram  received  a  few  days  ago  announced  that  he 
would  reach  here  on  Monday.  The  Founders  Lodge  de- 
termined to  give  him  a  welcome  that  would  be  no  whit  be- 
hind that  tendered  him  by  other  members  of  the  Order. 

"  The  Cuba  and  Salem  Lodges  were  invited  to  participate, 
and  a  reception  and  banquet  were  hastily  arranged.  On  the 
arrival  of  the  three  o'clock  train  from  Cuba,  Father  Upchurch 
was  met  by  a  committee  of  the  Lodge,  and  the  Steelville 
Cornet  Band  escorted  him  through  town  and  then  to  his 
home,  and  an  invitation  was  given  him  to  be  present  at  Davis 
&  Hamill's  Hall  at  seven  o'clock,  p.  m.  At  that  hour  a  large 
number  of  the  members  and  ladies  and  invited  guests 
assembled  at  the  hall.  The  exercises  opened  with  an  elo- 
quent address  of  welcome  by  Thos.  R.  Gibson,  as  follows: — 


196  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"'Father  Upchurch:  On  behalf  of  and  in  the  name 
of  the  Founders  Lodge,  No.  224,  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  I  welcome  you  to  your  home,  to  your 
family,  to  your  friends,  and  to  the  brothers  of  that  noble 
and  charitable  organization,  of  which  you  are  the  recognized 
father  and  founder,  from  your  grand  tour  of  the  Pacific 
States,  and  I  sincerely  assure  you  that  we  were  highly 
gratified  at  the  reception  our  brothers  of  the  West  accorded 
you  in  the  many  cities  and  towns  you  visited. 

"  '  The  honors  bestowed  upon,  and  the  attention  shown 
you,  were  worthy  of  any  king,  prince,  or  potentate,  and  fully 
demonstrated,  beyond  question,  that  your  work  in  founding 
and  establishing  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  is 
appreciated  and  cherished,  not  only  by  the  brothers  in  the 
many  Lodges  throughout  the  Union,  but  by  every  citizen 
of  this  great  and  glorious  Republic  that  holds  near  and 
dear  those  who  are  dependent  upon  him. 

" '  Your  grand  and  triumphant  tour  of  the  golden  States 
of  California  and  Oregon  was  watched  by  one  hundred 
fifty  thousand  Workmen,  who  vied  with  each  other  in  the 
pleasure  and  gratification  of  beholding  the  father  and 
founder  of  our  noble  Order  the  recipient  of  such  marked 
attention  and  distinguished  honors. 

" '  The  Order  originated  and  founded  by  you  has  well- 
regulated  Lodges  throughout  the  civilized  world,  and  in 
each  of  them  there  is  always  a  vacant  chair  awaiting  your 
arrival. 

"  '  The  membership  now  exceeds  one  hundred  fifty  thou- 
sand, and  over  two  million  dollars  are  annually  paid  to 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  brothers.  Little  did 
you  dream,  a  few  years  ago,  when  in  Meadville,  Pennsylva- 
nia, while  following  the  vocation  of  a  mechanic,  you  gath- 
ered around  you  a  few  of  your  fellow-laborers  to  plant  the 
germ  of  this  Order,  that  the  society  you  were  then  organiz- 
ing would  in  maturing  touch  a  tender  spot  in  the  hearts  of 
your  fellow-creatures,  and  flash  like  electricity  through  the 
Christian  world. 

"  'You  founded  and  originated  this  Order  from  no  selfish 
purpose,  but  with  the  sole  view  of  assisting  and  bettering 


His  Reception.  197 


the  condition  of  your  fellow-workmen  in  their  struggle 
through  life,  and  as  a  protection  to  their  families  when 
called  from  this  terrestrial  globe. 

"  '  You  had  observed  that  the  relation  between  the  twm 
brothers,  capital  and  labor,  was  not  of  a  nature  to  promote 
the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  those  two  great  civilizers. 
One  cannot  exist  without  the  other;  capital  is  built  upon 
and  created  by  labor,  and  labor  is  fed  and  nourished  by 
capital. 

"  'Your  good  common  sense,  not  polished  with  an  academic 
education,  conceived  the  idea  of  establishing  an  organiza- 
tion in  which  the  employer  and  employe  could  meet  on  a 
level,  and  in  social  intercourse  assist  each  other,  adjust  plans, 
and  devise  means  whereby  both  could  work  in  harmony  and 
for  their  mutual  benefit  and  protection. 

"  'You  can  now  behold  the  fruits  of  your  labor.  Your 
name  is  a  familiar  word  in  every  home  where  peace  and 
harmony  prevail,  and  your  picture  adorns,  not  only  Lodge 
rooms  and  parlors,  but  is  engraved  upon  the  heart  of  every 
true  Workman,  and  few  men  are  held  in  greater  esteem 
than  yourself. 

" '  The  good  you  have  done  is  confined  to  and  monop- 
olized by  no  political  party,  no  religious  creed,  select  class, 
or  clique  of  your  fellow-beings,  but  is  open  for  acceptance 
by  all  men,  both  rich  and  poor,  who  lead  pure  and  upright 
lives,  and  pursue  honest  and  honorable  callings. 

" '  We  are  rejoiced  to  welcome  you  again  to  your  home, 
to  our  hearts,  and  to  the  fraternal  circle  of  our  Lodge. 
Our  good  wives,  daughters,  and  sisters  also  greet  _you,_and 
have  prepared  this  banquet  and  reception  as  a  slight  indi- 
cation of  the  kindly  feelings  they  entertain  for  you,  and  a 
feeble  reminder  that  though  you  have  been  royally  received 
afar,  there  are  affectionate  hearts  that  beat  as  warmly  for 
you  here  as  in  other  lands,  and  that 


'  'Mid  pleasures  and  palaces,  though  we  may  roam 
Be  it  ever  so  humble,  there's  no  place  like  home. 


» > 


"  When  Father  Upchurch  arose  to  respond,  he  was  greeted 
with  applause.     He  thanked   the  brothers  for  the  cordial 


198  Life  of  I^^ather  UpcHURCii. 

greeting  they  had  given  him,  and  expressed  his  pleasure  at 
again  being  at  home.  At  the  close  of  his  reS'ponse  the 
company  took  their  seats  at  the  bountifully  laden  table,  and, 
after  grace,  did  ample  justice  to  the  delicious  viands  so 
temptingly  displayed. 

"The  following  toasts  were  then  proposed:  'Our  Order,' 
by  Mr.  Charles  Everson.  Dr,  J.  F.  Coffee  was  called  on 
to  respond,  and  did  so  in  an  eloquent  and  graceful  speech, 
in  whicli  he  reviewed  the  progress  of  the  brotherhood.  To 
the  sentiment,  'Father  Upchurch,'  Mr.  Thomas  Everson 
made  a  graceful  and  fitting  response,  which  elicited  many 
rounds  of  applause.  '  Our  Brothers  of  the  Golden  Shore  ' 
was  next  proposed,  and  Mr.  Frank  M.  Dunlavy  responded 
in  a  brief  but  eloquent  speech,  suited  to  such  a  sentiment. 
'  Our  Wives  and  Sweethearts '  was  responded  to  in  a  happy 
vein  by  Rev.  P.  D.  Cooper.  '  Our  Visiting  Brethren'  was 
the  theme  for  a  neat  litde  speech  by  Mr.  Noah  L.  Hawk, 
which,  with  a  bit  of  choice  poetry,  ended  the  exercises  of 
the  programme,  which  w^as  of  unusual  interest  and  remarkably 
pleasant. 

"  Father  Upchurch  w^as  then  invited  to  give  an  account 
of  his  visit  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  which  he  did  in  a  very  in- 
teresting manner. 

"The  band,  led  by  Dr.  R.  E.  Jamison,  interspersed  the 
occasion  with  excellent  music.  At  a  seasonable  hour  the 
audience  dispersed  to  their  several  homes." 


At  St.  Louis.  199 


CUCH  is  the  simple  narrative  of  the  life  and  labors  of 
P  ather  Upchurch  as  prepared  by  himself.  It  only  remains 
that  we  pick  up  the  thread  of  the  story  where  he  let  it  fall, 
and,  by  the  aid  of  such  data  as  we  liave  been  able  to  pro- 
cure, continue  it  to  the  end. 

AT   ST.    LOUIS. 

After  the  ovation  tendered  to  him  by  the  Lodges  and 
populace  on  his  safe  arrival  home,  at  Steelville^  he  quietly 
and  unobtrusively  resumed  the  business  in  which  he  was 
engaged  before  he  started  on  his  memorable  journey,  viz., 
dealing  in  agricultural  implements,  lumber,  and  undertaker. 
He  had  been  home  but  a  few  days,  however,  when  he  re- 
ceived an  invitation  from  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Select  Knights, 
to  visit  them  at  St.  Louis.  Accepting  the  invitation,  he 
was  met  on  his  arrival  at  the  depot  by  a  committee  of 
cistinguished  brothers  and  driven  to  his  hotel,  where  an 
address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Hon.  John  I.  Martin, 
to  which  he  briefly  responded,  visiting  two  of  the  Lodges 
that  evening.  The  two  following  days  he  received  marked 
attention  by  eminent  citizens  of  St.  Louis,  being  driven 
about  to  the  various  points  and  places  of  interest.  On  the 
evening  of  one  of  these  days,  he  was  tendered  a  grand 
reception  by  about  seven  thousand  of  the  brethren  of  St. 
Louis,  a  competitive  drill  by  several  of  the  Legions  being 
held  in  his  honor, 

SWORD    PRESENTATION. 

He  also  attended  by  invitation  the  biennial  conclave  of 
Select  Knights  of  Missouri,  at  Moberly,  on  the  27th  of 
October.     Here  also  he  was  the  recipient  of  much  respect 


200  Life  of  Father  Upchurch, 

and  distinguished  honor.  The  following  is  an  epitomized 
account  of  his  reception,  taken  from  the  Watchman  of 
November  14,  1885: — 

"  At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Legion  (Select  Knights) 
of  Missouri,  at  Moberly,  on  th5  27th  ult.,  Father  Upchurch 
was  present,  and  received  much  attention  from  the  many 
present.  There  were  many  valuable  prizes  given  to  com- 
peting Legions  for  excellence  in  drill,  but  according  to  re- 
ports contained  in  the  Missouri  papers,  '  the  grandest  gift 
of  air  was  awarded  to  the  venerable  father  of  the  Order, 
J.  J.  Upchurch,  who  was  present.  The  gift  was  a  sword 
and  belt,  which  was  beautiful  enough  to  grace  any  officer. 
This  being  the  seventeenth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of 
the  Order,  no  more  appropriate  recognition  of  the  father 
of  the  Order  could  possibly  have  been  given. 

"  After  the  awarding  of  prizes,  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Legion  filed  by  and  shook  hands  with  Father  Upchurch, 
after  which  he  made  a  short  speech,  expressing  the  pleasure 
and  gratitude  he  felt  in  being  so  honored.  He  also 
adverted  to  the  early  struggles  of  the  Order,  making  a 
speech  that  is  described  as  sound,  sensible,  and  to  the  point.'* 

VISIT   TO    WYANDOTTE. 

Returning  from  these  pleasant  visits  he  spent  about  a 
month  in  quiet  at  home,  receiving  in  the  meantime  an  invi- 
tation to  visit  Wyandotte,  Kansas,  by  .Geo.  W.  Reed, 
Supreme  Commander  Select  Knights,  and  others.  Of  this 
visit  he  speaks  as  follows  in  a  letter  written  to  the  Watch- 
man^ after  he  returned  home: — 

"  Editors  Watchman:  On  January  i  I  visited  Wyan- 
dotte, Kansas,  where  I  was  received  at  the  depot  by  a  com- 
mittee headed  by  Bro.  Geo.  W.  Reed,  Supreme  Command  .t 
Select  Knights  and  Grand  Master  Workman  of  Kansas. 
In  the  evening  a  large  number  of  brothers  assembled  in 
Odd  Fellows'  Hall  to  install  the  officers  of  Lodge  No.  30. 
A  fine  address  was  delivered  by  Grand  Master  Workman 


The  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas.  201 

Reed,  who,  with  the  assistance  of  Supreme  Master  Workman 
John  A.  Brooks  and  your  correspondent,  conducted  the  in- 
stallation. 

"  After  the  ceremony  about  four  hundred  brothers  and 
their  friends  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  banquet,  prepared  by 
the  ladies,  which  was  greatly  enjoyed. 

"January  4  I  went  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  and  was 
present  next  day  at  an  informal  reception  tendered  Brother 
Reed  at  the  hall  of  No.  50.  In  the  evening  many  mem- 
bers of  the  Order,  including  Select  Knights  in  uniform, 
formed  in  procession  and  all  marched  to  the  Opera  House, 
where  a  large  audience  had  already  assembled.  There, 
addresses  were  delivered  by  Brother  Reed,  the  undersigned, 
and  others,  and  a  secret  meeting  at  the  hall  of  No.  50 
followed,  in  which  the  work  of  the  two  Orders  was  exempli- 
fied. 

"  On  the  8th  inst.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  the  good 
brothers  of  Centralia  and  talking  to  them,  returning  home 
from  the  trip  on  the  9th. 

"Yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P.,         J.  J.  Upchurch." 

THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  KANSAS. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  was  to  meet  at  Topeka 
February  23,  and  a  warm  invitation  had  been  extended  to 
him  to  attend.  Previous  to  that,  however,  he  had  been 
urged  to  meet  the  legions  of  Select  Knights  at  Sedalia, 
Missouri.  Of  these  visits  also  he  has  left  an  account  in 
another  letter  to  the  Watchman^  dated  Steelville,  Missouri, 
March  i,  1886. 

"  Editors  Watchman:  On  the  19th  of  February  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  visiting  Sedalia,  Missouri,  by  invitation  of 
the  Select  Knights,  and  I  take  the  liberty  of  sending  you  a 
brief  account  of  the  visit,  for  it  was  to  me  one  of  great 
pleasure.  Met  at  the  depot  by  a  delegation  of  Knights  in 
uniform,  we  proceeded  to  their  hall,  where  introductions 
and  an  exchange  of  fraternal  greetings  took  place.     In  the 


202  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 


evening  an  audience  of  fifteen  hundred  at  least  assembled 
in  the  large  rink,  it  being  the  only  hall  in  the  city  large 
enough  to  accommodate  the  crowd.  Preliminary  to  this, 
however,  a  banquet  was  enjoyed  by  about  six  hundred 
brethren  and  guests.  Following  this  feast  of  good  things 
came  requests  to  address  the  friends,  which  it  was  a  pleasure 
for  me  to  do,  as  everybody  seemed  in  sympathy  with  our 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  sentiments  of  fraternity. 

"  On  the  following  evening  I  went  to  Independence  and 
there  had  the  satisfaction  of  being  warmly  greeted  by  many 
brethren  and  invited  guests,  and  of  speaking  to  them  briefly 
on  the  principles  of  Workmanship.  The  members  of  the 
Order  there  are  alive  to  its  interests. 

"  On  the  23d  I  proceeded  to  Topeka,  where  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  session,  and  spent  a  delightful  time  with  the 
members  of  that  body  and  other  brothers  in  attendance. 
Grand  Master  Workman  Reed  (who  is  also  Supreme  Com- 
mander of  the  Select  Knights),  joined  with  the  other  Grand 
officers  in  extending  to  me  every  courtesy.  On  the  first  eve- 
ning of  the  session  the  Grand  Master  Workman  and  your 
correspondent  were  escorted  to  the  Opera  House  by  a  dele- 
gation of  uniformed  Knights,  where  a  fine  programme  of 
exercises  was  carried  out,  including  addresses  by  Brother 
Reed,  Grand  Foreman  Miller,  and  your  correspondent. 
The  audience  was  a  very  fine  one,  representative,  I  believe, 
of  the  members  of  the  Order  generally  in  Topeka. 

"Yours  in  C.,  H.,  and  P.,        J.  J.  Upchurch." 

Another  report  has  the  following  in  relation  to  the  found- 
er's visit  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas: — 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  met  in  Topeka  in  eighth 
annual  session  on  the  23d  of  February,  one  hundred  and 
eighty -nine  delegates  being  present.  The  session  was 
opened  by  Geo.  W.  Reed,  Grand  Master  Workman.  The 
report  of  the  Grand  Recorder,  E.  M.  Forde,  shows  that 
thirty-four  deaths  occurred  in  the  Jurisdiction  during  the 
past  year.  A  pleasant  incident  of  the  first  day's  session  was 
the  presentation  to  Grand  Master  Workman  Reed,  on  behalf 


The  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas.  20S 

of  the  Grand  Legion  of  the  Select  Knights,  of  a  beautiful 
gold  badge,  suitably  inscribed. 

"Father  Upchurch  was  present  by  invitation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  opening  day  he 
was  accorded  a  grand  reception  at  Crawford's  Opera  House, 
I  he  hall  being  crowded.  Addresses  were  made  by  Brother 
Reed,  Grand  Master  Workman  Father  Upchurch,  and  Hon. 
J.  M.  Miller,  Grand  Foreman.  In  his  introductory  ad- 
dress, the  former  thus  referred  to  the  honored  and  venerable 
guest  of  the  evening: — 

"  'To-day,  in  unfeigned  happiness,  we  extend  the  hand  of 
welcome  and  fraternal  greeting  to  our  brother,  who  not  only 
moulds  his  own  nature  to  the  best  conformation  of  which  it 
is  susceptible,  but  by  his  teachings  anci  example  influences 
many  others  to  work  in  harmony  for  the  uplifting  and  im- 
provement and  relief  of  needy  humanity.  We  are  proud  to 
listen  to  a  man  whose  whole  inward  life  is  an  upward  life,  a 
progressive  life,  a  life  devoted  to  right.  We  are  proud  to 
welcome  a  man  who  is  so  truly  worthy  of  reverence.  Thou- 
sands of  the  best  and  noblest  men  in  our  land  hasten  to  do 
him  honor.  We  welcome  him,  while  we  thank  him  in  grate- 
ful affection  for  the  great  and  glorious  work  he  established 
and  has  helped  with  fatherly  care  to  guard  and  maintain.' 

"The  reply  of  Father  Upchurch  was  unusually  full  and 
admirably  expressed.  We  have  space  for  but  brief  extracts. 
Referring  to  the  early  struggles  of  the  Order  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  to  the  recent  disincorporation  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  that  State,  he  said: — 

"  '  Dissension  arose  in  the  Order.  About  one-half  of  our 
members  seceded  and  formed  an  opposition  Grand  Lodge. 
This  second  Grand  Lodge  procured  an  act  of  incorporation 
which  has  given  us  more  trouble  than  everything  else  that 
has  been  brought  to  bear  against  us. 

"  '  I  thank  God  that  the  mother  of  our  Order  has  had  in- 
dependence enough  to  cast  off  the  incubus  and  assert  her 
rights  to  do  business  under  the  charter  of  the  Supreme 
Lodge,  and  I  sincerely  trust  that  every  other  Grand  Lodge 
will  do  likewise.  This  separation  continued  for  two  years, 
when  in  January,  1873,  a  union  of  the  two  wings  of  the 


204  Life  of  Father  CJpchurch. 

Order  was  affected.  At  this  time  there  were  only  about 
eight  hundred  members  in  both  wings  of  the  Order.  Tha 
ratification  of  the  union  was  held  in  New  Castle,  Pennsyl- 
vania, about  January  25,  when  every  member  present  gave 
evidence  of  his  approval  that  we  were  again  a  united  Order. 
Old  Brother  McNair,  Grand  Recorder  of  Pennsylvania, 
arose  and  proposed  that  we  sing,  '  Praise  God,  from  whom 
all  blessings  flow,'  which  was  done  with  enthusiasm,  and  I 
am  yet  to  be  convinced  that  there  was  a  dry  eye  in  the 
hall.' 

"  Again  he  said: — 

" '  It  is  not  sufficient  to  promise  faithfully  to  perform  an 
act  and  then  evade  its  burden,  or  that  you  have  induced 
others  by  personal  splicitation  or  otherwise  to  become  mem- 
bers of  our  Order,  the  meetings  of  which  you  seldom  attend, 
and  of  which  you  know  but  little,  except  by  hearsay. 

"  '  How  can  you  reconcile  such  conduct  to  the  duty  you 
owe  your  families  and  loved  ones  ?  Your  continuation  with 
this  organization,  which  agrees  to  pay  over  to  your  family  the 
sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  has  led  them  to  believe  that 
the  fear  of  destitution  which  might  stare  them  in  the  face 
were  you  taken  from  them,  is  no  longer  visible;  that  you 
have  made  a  sure  provision  for  them.  Yet  you  would  trifle 
with  their  dearest  expectations;  you  peril  their  interest;  you 
deliberately  deceive  them  when  you  unhesitatingly  or  wan- 
tonly neglect  to  pay  your  assessments  promptly,  or  refuse  to 
bear  your  share  of  the  burden  attendant  upon  the  proper 
working  of  your  Lodge.' " 

CALIFORNIA   GRAND    LODGE   RESOLUTIONS. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  California  convened  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, April  6,  1886.  We  cull  the  following  from  the  min- 
utes of  the  third  day's  proceedings  of  that  body,  to  show 
the  appreciation  in  which  the  recent  visit  of  Father  Up- 
church  was  held  by  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  brothers  on 
the  Pacific  Coast. 

Bro.  A.  T.  Dewey  offered  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  adopted: — 


Preparing  His  Book.  205 

''  Whereas,  The  visit  of  Father  Upchurch  to  this  coast 
last  year  was  an  event  of  great  importance  in  the  history  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  on  the  western 
slope  of  the  continent; 

"  Resolved^  That  this  Grand  Lodge  return  to  the  grand  old 
founder  of  our  great  Order,  J.  J.  Upchurch,  Past  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  its  grateful  acknowledgments  and  most 
sincere  thanks  for  his  visit  to  our  fair  State. 

^^  Resolved,  That  by  his  modest  and  noble  bearing,  and  his 
wise  and  kindly  counsel,  he  won  the  respect  and  love  of  all 
our  brotherhood  and  helped  to  cement  more  firmly  the  fra- 
ternal ties  that  bind  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
into  one  great  co-operative  body  for  the  elevation  and  pro- 
tection of  its  members  and  their  dependent  families. 

^^  Resolved,  That  Father  Upchurch's  visitations  to  different 
portions  of  our  Jurisdiction  afforded  the  brethren  who  had 
the  opportunity  of  seeing  and  hearing  him  a  privilege  that 
will  always  be  cherished  as  one  of  the  pleasantest  memories 
of  true  Workmen. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  sends  warm  fraternal 
greetings  to  the  venerable  founder,  who,  in  his  humble  home, 
still  contributes  his  influence  to  the  support  of  the  Order  he 
brought  into  life,  and  congratulates  him  upon  the  fact  that 
he  has  lived  to  see  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
grow  into  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  fixed  in  the  grand 
center  of  a  new  and  wonderfully  progressive  system  of  ben- 
eficiary fraternities." 

PREPARING    HIS    BOOK. 

In  the  meantime  he  had  been  utilizing  all  his  spare  time 
in  collecting  and  arranging  the  manuscript  for  his  biography, 
according    to    the   agreement*    entered    into  with  Brother 


*  The  following  extract,  from  the  report  of  the  Upchurch  memorial  services  in  San 
Francisco,  briefly  explains  how  Father  Upchurch  came  to  write  his  book,  and, 
finally,  his  last  letter  to  accompany  the  sam  : — 

"With  the  letter  in  hand,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Barnes  advanced  to  the 
foot-lights  at  the  close  of  the  regular  services  in  San  Francisco,  and  in  a  voice  and 
manner  betokening  the  deepest  emotion,  spoke,  before  reading,  a  few  words  to  the 
brethren,  mentioning  the  matter  of  Fa.her  Upchurch  preparing  his  book  for  publi- 
cation, and  the  circumstance  that  while  here  he  was  induced  by  Bro.  Past  Master 


206  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Dewey,  while  he  was  in  San  Francisco.  This  was  a  work  of 
considerable  labor,  the  earlier  portions  of  the  narrative  be- 
ing supplied  entirely  from  memory.  Nevertheless,  by  apply- 
ing himself  diligently  to  it,  he  was  able  to  forward  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  it  in  May,  1886. 

The  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  met  at  Minneapolis,  June  15,  1886,  and  there,  in 
his  capacity  of  Senior  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  he 
attended. 

HIS    LAST    "  PILGRIMAGE." 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  October  he  started  on  what 
proved  to  be  his  last  pilgrimage,  going  East  in  response  to 
pressing  calls  from  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  by  the  way  of 
Niles,  Michigan,  whence  he  had  also  had  a  pressing 
invitation. 

LETTER   TO    PAST   GRAND    MASTER    BARNES,    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

At  this  time  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  William  H. 
Barnes,  of  California,  was  on  a  round  of  visits  to  the  Lodges 
of  the  Southern  and  Middle  States,  by  invitation  of  the 
Grand  Jurisdictions  there.  From  Toledo,  Ohio,  he  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  Father  Upchurch,  October  6,  1886,  and 
received  the  following  answer  at  Cincinnati,  October  17: — 

"Steelville,  Mo,  October  16,  1886. 
"  My  Dear  Brother  Barnes:  Your  kind  letter  from  To- 
ledo received.     You  are  going  to  Tennessee  for  the  aniver- 


Workman  A.  T.  Dewey  to  promis6  to  write  a  history  of  his  life  and  wor'  ,  for  pub- 
lication, in  book  form,  by  the  IVatchuian  Publishing  Co.,  the  same  to  be  sold 
throughout  the  world  for  the  benefit  of  the  honest  old  founder.  Fortunately  for 
all  our  brethren,  and  the  many  thousands  who  shall  yet  swell  our  ranks,  and  their 
families  as  well,  Father  Upchurch  kept  his  word,  and  the  precious  MSS.,  largely 
in  his  own  handwriting,  were  duly  prepared,  and  thus  will  be  preserved,  to  the 
Order  and  the  world,  one  of  the  most  significant  of  all  life  histories.  Urged  to  add 
a  few  words  more  to  his  book,  by  way  of  benediction  to  his  children  of  t  e  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  he  complied,  and  sent  to  his  fellow-Workmen,  from  his 
good  old  heartand  brains,  a  last  blessing  so  characteristic  of  the  dear,  good  man, 
and  so  appropriate  to  this  sorrowful  occasion,  that  it  should  not  be  withheld  longer 
from  those  who  so  love  and  cherish  his  memory." 


Visiting  East.  207 


sary  celebration,  and  I  am  going  to  be  in  Boston.  Wher- 
ever you  go,  Brother  Barnes,  God  be  with  you  and  bless  you 
for  your  noble  efforts  for  humanity.  I  shall  never  forget 
you  or  any  of  my  dear  California  brethren.  Give  my  sin- 
cere good  wishes  to  the  brethren  everywhere.  I  often  think 
of  my  grand  trip  to  the  Pacific  Coast.  Everybody  is  kind 
to  me  everywhere,  but  there  is  but  one  California,  and  I 
hope  some  day  to  see  you  all  again.  Praying  that  our  work 
may  spread  and  increase,  I  am 

"  Faithfully  yours,  John  J.  Upchurch." 

As  we  prefer  to  have  him  tell  the  story  of  his  life  and 
travels  himself  whenever  it  is  practicable,  we  transcribe  the 
following  letter  written  to  the  Watchman^  from  Steelville, 
Missouri,  November  20,  detailing  his  reception  at  the  vari- 
ous places  visited: — 

VISITING   EAST — THE   PREDICTION   OF  CONTINUED  PROSPER- 
'     ITY    FOR    HIS    FAITHFUL    FOLLOWERS. 

"  Steelville,  Mo.,  November  20,  1886. 

"Editor  Watchman:  According  to  promise  I  send 
you  a  few  items  concerning  my  trip  East.  On  October 
27,  I  attended  the  eighteenth  anniversary  of  our  Order  at 
Niles,  Michigan.  There  was  a  procession  of  Knights  and 
Workmen  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  evening  there  was  a 
meeting  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Hall,  where  the 
Workman  Degree  was  conferred  under  the  new  ritual  by  the 
Grand  Officers  with  good  effect.  The  Lodge  and  visitors 
repaired  to  the  banquet  hall  and  partook  of  a  sumptuous 
spread  prepared  by  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  members. 
At  seven  o'clock  all  returned  to  the  hall,  where  Bro.  W. 
Warne  Wilson  delivered  the  address  of  the  day,  which  was 
followed  by  the  Grand  Master  Workman,  myself,  and  others. 
At  half  past  ten  o'clock,  the  meeting  adjourned,  when  I  took 
the  train  for  Boston,  and  was  met  at  the  depot  by  Supreme 
Medical  Director  Doherty,  and  conducted  to  the  hotel. 

"  In  the  evening  we  had  a  fine  meeting  in  Tremont  Tem- 
ple, which  was  well  attended,  considering  the  heavy  rain 


208  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

that  had  fallen  during  the  day  and  night.  The  meeting  was 
addressed  by  Brother  Loomis,  of  Buffalo,  myself,  and  oth- 
ers. 

"On  November  i  I  visited  Everett  Lodge,  No.  7.  The 
meeting  was  well  attended,  and  a  banquet  was  indulged  in, 
and  a  number  of  well-directed,  enthusiastic  speeches  made. 

"  On  the  4th  of  November  we  visited  Hallowell  Lodge, 
of  Maine,  and  assisted  the  Grand  Officers  in  dedicating  a 
new  hall.  There  was  a  fine  attendance,  and  a  number  of 
appropriate  addresses.  On  the  5th,  visited  Salem.  In  the 
evening  had  a  large  meeting  of  the  members;  there  was  a 
banquet,  and  many  fine  speeches  were  made.  On  the  6th, 
took  in  the  city,  which  was  very  interesting. 

"  In  the  evening  I  took  the  train  for  Pennsylvania.  On 
the  7th  visited  Industry  Lodge,  No  2,  of  Wilmington,  Dela- 
ware. A  large  meeting  of  the  members  and  their  families 
was  held,  many  fine  addresses,  music  and  recitations,  and  a 
good  time  generally. 

"On  the  loth  I  took  the  train  for  Philadelphia,  and  was 
met  by  Brothers  Past  Master  Workmen  Smith  and  Jones. 
In  the  evening  met  with  Quaker  City  Lodge,  No.  no,  in 
their  hall.  There  was  a  fine  attendance,  and  a  number  of 
enthusiastic  speeches  by  Past  Grand  Master  Workmen 
Smith,  Jones,  and  others,  and  myself.  On  the  nth  took  in 
the  city.  The  work  is  growing  everywhere  I  visited,  both 
in  numbers  and  interest.  I  predict  that  the  Order  will  ap- 
proximate two  hundred  thousand  by  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Supreme  Lodge. 

"  Fraternally  yours,  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

J.  J.  Upchurch. 

IN    BOSTON. 

The  following  in  relation  to  his  Eastern  visits  is  epitom- 
ized from  New  England  papers: — 

THE    BOSTON    CELEBRATION — A   ROUSING   RECEPTION 
TO    FATHER    UPCHURCH. 

"The  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  the  Workmen 
of  that  Jurisdiction,  decided  early  upon  a  proper  celebration 


In  Boston.  209 


of  th  J  eit^^htecnth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  with  the  result  that  the  occasion 
was  one  of  the  most  gratifying  and  profitable  in  the  history 
of  the  Jurisdiction.  Father  Upchurch  was  the  special  guest 
of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Tremont  Temple  had  been  secured, 
and  though  the  weather  was  not  the  most  propitious,  there 
was  a  large  attendance  and  the  greatest  enthusiasm  prevailed. 
The  exercises  were  opened  by  an  organ  recital.  Grand  Re- 
ceiver Temple,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments, welcomed  the  audience,  and  called  upon  Grand 
Master  Workman  Hon.  James  Weymouth,  of  Old  Town, 
Maine,  to  preside,  who,  after  a  brief  speech,  introduced 
Father  Upchurch,  who  was  accorded  a  genuine  New  England 
welcome. 

"  Brother  Upchurch  gave  a  brief  account  of  the  origin 
of  the  Order,  the  obstacles  he  met  and  overcame,  and  the 
progress  made  in  the  first  few  years  of  the  existence  of  the 
Order.  He  explained  the  cause  which  brought  a  division  of 
the  Order,  and  the  harmonious  reunion,  which  was  acknowl- 
edged by  the  convention  of  the  two  bodies  singing,  '  Praise 
God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow.'  He  was  very  enthu- 
siastic as  to  the  future  of  the  Order,  and  thought  that  ten 
years  more  would  see  a  membership  of  five  hundred  thou- 
sand. 

"  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Hobart  B.  Loomis,  of  New 
York,  was  also  a  guest  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  being  called 
upon  delivered  a  clear-cut  exposition  of  co-operation  as  ex- 
emplified in  the  mutual  plan  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  and  showed,  to  the  evident  satisfaction 
of  all  present,  that  fraternity  was  the  foundation-stone  of  the 
Order.  The  evening's  entertainment  included  vocal  and 
instrumental  music  by  celebrated  artists,  and  the  whole 
affair  was  one  of  the  most  successful  ever  given  in  the  Or- 
der, in  every  way  except  in  the  attendance,  which,  as  said 
above,  was  limited  somewhat  by  inclement  weather. 

"Sunday  afternoon  Brothers  Upchurch,  Ingalls,  and 
Doherty  'went  to  college'  in  Cambridge.  Monday  was 
spent  in  sight-seeing.  Tuesday  evening  Brother  Upchurch 
was  the  guest  of  Everett  Lodge,  of  Dorchester,  w^here  he 
had  a  royal  reception. 
14 


210  Life  of  Father  Upchurch.  w 

"Wednesday  evening  he  dedicated  the  new  hall  of  Cres- 
cent Lodge,  in  Hallowell. 

*'  Thursday  morning  the  train  was  taken  in  a  homeward 
direction.  On  arriving  at  Salem,  a  committee  of  John  En- 
dicott  Lodge  received  the  Upchurch  party.  In  the  evening 
Brother  Upchurch  witnessed  the  work  as  it  was  beautifully 
rendered  by  the  officers  of  the  Lodge.  Representatives  of 
fifteen  Lodges  were  present.  A  collation  and  a  pipe  of 
peace  followed  the  Lodge  meeting.  After  a  farewell  to  the 
brethren  in  Salem^  cars  were  taken  for  Philadelphia,  where 
Brother  Upchurch  met  Quaker  City  Lodge,  who  gave  him 
a  warm  reception,  and  saw  him  safely  on  his  way  home." 

IN  PHILADELPHIA HIS  LAST  SPEECH. 

Of  his  warm  reception  in  the  city  of  brotherly  love  we 
take  the  following  account  from  the  Protector^  and  as  his 
response  was  the  last  recorded  speech  of  the  grand  old  man, 
we  make  no  apology  for  giving  it  entire. 

FATHER  UPCHURCH    IN    PHILADELPHIA HIS    RECEPTION   BY 

THE    LODGES  OF  THAT  CITY  AND  VICINITY. 

*'  Large  delegations  from  the  Lodges  in  Philadelphia  and 
vicinity,  including  Wilmington,  Camden,  Haddonfield,  and 
Baltimore,  assembled  in  the  hall  of  Quaker  City  Lodge, 
No.  1 1 6,  on  Wednesday  evening,  November  lo,  to  welcome 
Father  Upchurch  and  m.ake  him  feel  how  well  beloved  he  is 
by  the  brothers  of  the  Order  here.  It  being  the  night  of 
the  regular  meeting  of  the  Lodge,  the  routine  business  was 
concluded  with  dispatch.  The  honored  visitor  was  admitted 
to  the  Lodge  under  the  guidance  of  the  chairman  of  the 
committee,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Wm.  H.  James, 
escorted  by  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Jos.  C  Smith, 
Grand  Overseer  Alfred  Frank  Custis,  and  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter Workman  F.  J.  Keffer.  The  Lodge  room  was  crowded, 
and  all  testified  their  respects  by  giving  the  honors  of  the 
Order. 

"  Under  the  call  of  '  good  of  the  Order '  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman  Wm.  H.  James  arose  and  said: — 


In  Philadelphia— His  Last  Speech.  211 


"  '  It  is  of  course  to  me  a  matter  of  great  pleasure  to  in- 
troduce to  you  Brother  J.  J.  Upchurch,  the  founder  of  our 
Order.  Brother  Upchurch  is  a  man  of  modest  demeanor, 
but  he  is  a  true  Workman — a  mechanic  by  profession.  His 
idea  was  to  form  a  society  wherein  the  employe  and  em- 
ployer could  meet  face  to  face  as  brothers,  upon  the  same 
plane,  upon  the  same  platform,  and  obligated  to  the  same 
principles.  He  also  provided  in  his  original  constitution 
that  the  members  were  to  do  all  they  could  for  the  elevation 
of  the  laboring  class,  in  that  they  should  provide  for  lectures 
and  essays  in  the  Lodge  room,  present  new  inventions  as 
they  came  out,  and  provide  a  library  for  die  members.  He 
also  provided  for  the  payment  of  sick  benefits  and  the  sys- 
tem which  has  become  the  great  item  of  our  Order— the 
payment  of  a  fund  to  the  family  of  a  deceased  brother. 
We  here  to-night,  meeting  as  members  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  welcome  Brother  Upchurch  with  the 
heartiest  good  wishes  for  long  life  and  prosperity. 

"'I  now  introduce  Brother  Upchurch  to  you,  that  you 
may  hear  some  remarks  from  him.' 

"Brother  Upchurchsaid:  'Master  Workman  and  Broth- 
ers: It  gives  me  a  great  deal  of  pleasure  to  be  able  to  meet 
with  you  on  this  occasion,  especially  in  this  grand  old  hall. 
You  are  my  first  love,  being  in  this  Jurisdiction  where  my  first 
labor  was  devoted  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. I  am  not  much  of  a  speaker.  At  the  time  when  I 
•should  have  been  studying  elocution  in  order  to  become  a 
-public  speaker,  I  was  studying  mechanics  and  the  wants  of 
the  people,  otherwise  you  might  not  have  the  Order  of 
United  Workmen.  I  feel  proud  to-day  that  I  am  per- 
mitted to  meet  you  here  in  this  city,  to  meet  the  brothers  of 
ether  Lodges  here  with  those  of  Quaker  City  Lodge,  the 
largest  Lodge  in  the  world.  Perhaps  I  had  better  give  you 
some  of  the  incidents  that  caused  me  to  think  and  act  in 
building  up  our  Order.  It  is  known  by  a  great  many  that 
in  early  times  it  was  thought  that  all  mechanics  should  be- 
long to  some  trades-union.  I  thought  so  at  one  time.  I 
went  into  the  union,,  and  I  soon  discovered  that  they  were 
not  doing  what  they  professed  to.     They  were  selfish;  they 


212  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

were  envious.  The  blacksmith  was  ready  to  sacrifice  the 
business  of  the  machinist  and  to  build  up  his  own  interest; 
so  all  the  way  down.  It  occurred  to  me  that  it  was  wrong 
that  there  should  not  be  a  union  of  the  whole  for  the  great- 
est good  of  the  greatest  number.  It  is  true  that  while  I  was 
thinking  about  this  matter,  I  formed  no  plan  for  the  organi- 
zation until  1864.  I  was  master  mechanic  of  the  Mine 
Hill  &  Schuylkill  Haven  Railroad.  Many  of  you  know 
that  in  Schuylkill  County  the  train  hands  demanded  an  ad- 
vance of  fifty  cents  a  day,  and  I  wrote  to  President  Johnson, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  directed  me  to  give  them  forty  cents  a 
day  advance,  which  made  the  engineer's  wages  four  dollars 
a  day.  I  notified  the  committee  of  train  hands.  They 
hooted  at  the  idea  and  said  that  the  society  had  directed 
them  to  demand  fifty  cents  a  day  and  take  nothing  less,  and 
unless  they  were  paid  that  fifty  cents  a  day  they  would  strike. 
They  went  on  a  strike  and  were  out  four  weeks.  The 
Secretary  of  War  sent  on  a  corps  of  engineers  and  firemen, 
and  I  ran  the  road  in  the  interest  of  the  Government  of 
that  time.  At  its  expiration  these  men  were  ready  to  go  to 
work  at  what  I  offered  them  in  the  first  place. 

"  'Then  it  occurred  to  me  what  an  outrage  had  been  com- 
mitted by  this  society  on  these  poor  laborers.  It  had  de- 
prived them  of  a  whole  month's  wages  that  never  could  be 
regained,  and  some  of  these  men  were  not  able  to  lose  three 
days  in  a  month  without  depriving  their  families  of  the  com- 
forts of  life.  Brothers,  it  made  such  an  impression  upon 
my  mind  that  it  was  impossible  to  cast  it  off,  and  I  finally 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  if  it  was  possible  I  would  do 
something  to  harmonize  labor  and  capital.  I  was  filled 
with  the  idea  and  went  to  the  oil  regions  next  year,  and 
there  became  acquainted  with  Brother  Keffer,  to  whom  I 
disclosed  my  plan  for  harmonizing  the  two  great  interests. 
Brother  Kefier  encouraged  me  to  perfect  the  work  and  in- 
troduce it  on  the  night  of  the  27th  of  October,  1868.  I 
reported  that  I  liad  a  constitution  and  the  first  degree  ready. 
We  then  organized  the  meeting  and  I  read  the  constitution, 
which  was  adopted  by  sections,  and  I  administered  the  obli- 
gation of  the  first  degree  to  thirteen  members  beside  my- 


His  Last  Speech.  213 

self.  We  elected  our  officers  and  we  all  went  away  highly 
elated  at  the  prospects  of  the  new  Order.  On  the  morning 
of  the  2Sth,  not  twelve  hours  after  the  institution  of  the 
Lodge,  a  number  of  members  came  to  me  to  demand  that 
the  words  "white  male"  be  stricken  from  the  constitution. 
You  will  remember  that  the  article  on  eligibility  to  member- 
ship says  all  white  male  persons  of  good  moral  character 
are  eligible  to  membership  in  this  Order;  they  wanted  the 
words  "  white  male  "  stricken  out.  I  told  them  that  I  would 
never  do  anything  to  degrade  a  white  man.  I  said  if  the 
negroes  want  to  iiet  up  an  organization  for  their  own  eleva- 
tion, I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  assist  them;  but  that  was 
not  what  they  wanted;  they  wanted  it  a  mixed  society,  and 
I  do  not  feel  like  mixing  too  much.  I  do  not  believe  in 
too  much  mixture  anyway.  The  Recorder  took  it  upon 
himself  to  refund  to  every  member  his  initiation  fee. 

"  '  On  the  3d  of  November,  the  second  meeting  night,  I 
went  to  the  hall,  not  knowing  whether  there  would  be  one 
of  them  there,  but  I  did  not  wish  any  of  them  to  go  there 
and  not  find  me.  But,  fortunately,  six  of  the  thirteen  came 
forward  and  paid  their  initiation  the  second  time,  and, 
brothers,  we  then  and  there  renewed  our  obligation  that  we 
would  go  to  work  with  more  energy  and  determination  to 
build  up  the  Ancient  Order,  We  had  a  great  deal  to  con^ 
tend  with.  We  were  o])posed  by  the  business  men  of  the 
city,  by  mechanics  and  laborers,  and  it  was  supposed  that  it 
was  a  trades-union  of  the  ordinary  type  gotten  up  to' fleece 
the  workingmen  out  of  their  wages.  We  labored  zealously, 
earnestly,  and  faithfully  for  nine  months,  and  in  that  time  we 
got  twenty  members;  and,  brothers,  we  thought  we  were  do- 
ing very  well.  Everything  seemed  to  go  along  harmoniously, 
but  at  last,  unfortunately,  a  division  arose  in  the  Order  and 
there  were  two  Grand  Lodges;  but  I  thank  God,  in  February, 
1873,  ^^1  those  differences  were  removed  and  we  again  had 
a  United  Order.  Everybody's  soul  was  in  the  work,  and 
they  were,  rejoiced  that  there  was  no  division;  that  we 
were  again  united  for  the  purpose  of  making  men  better, 
teaching  them  high  and  noble  aspirations;  and  on  the  nth 
Qf  February  the    Supreme   Lodge  was  organized  in  Cincin^ 


214  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

nati  with  eleven  members.  At  this  time  we  had  about 
eight  hundred  members  in  both  wings  of  the  Order.  From 
that  time  the  people  seemed  to  take  an  interest  in  the  Order; 
they  saw  that  its  members  were  doing  all  they  could  to  bene- 
fit their  fellow-members;  they  investigated  its  principles  and 
they  saw  that  there  was  a  feature  in  our  Order  that  never 
had  been  presented  before,  that  of  making  men  better,  of 
providing  for  their  families,  their  loved  ones,  when  they 
were  gone.  Brothers,  that  feature  to-day  should  fill  our 
every  heart.  From  that  time  forward  the  Order  spread 
with  unprecedented  rapidity;  it  leaped  the  bounds  of  States, 
it  crossed  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  to-day  I  am  proud  to 
say  that  almost  every  State  and  Territory  in  our  country, 
and  in  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  has  Lodges  permanently 
located,  and  in  a  flourishing  and  prosperous  condition. 

"  '  A  few  years  ago  we  were  looked  upon  with  suspicion. 
It  was  thought,  as  I  said  before,  that  w^e  were  a  trades-union. 
To-day  our  society  is  composed  of  the  best  men  of  the 
country.  We  have  members  from  the  highest  professions 
and  the  lowest  grades  of  mechanical  labor.  AVe  come  into 
this  organization  on  the  same  great  level.  It  is  not  money, 
but  it  is  purity  of  character  and  uprightness  that  bring  us 
here,  and  we  can  take  each  brother  by  the  hand  as  an  equal. 
Brothers,  in  this  organization  we  have  done  more  to  har- 
monize the  human  family,  high  and  low,  than  all  the  other 
organizations  that  ever  existed. 

"  '  It  is  true  that  some  object  to  the  word  "Workmen,"  but, 
brothers,  are  we  not  directed  to  earn  our  bread  by  the  sweat 
of  our  brow?  It  matters  not  whether  a  man  works  with  the 
brain  or  the  hand,  it  is  all  work.  Brothers,  I  have  had  ex- 
perience in  my  life  of  both,  and  I  must  say  that  brain  labor 
is  the  hardest  labor  that  I  have  ever  done.  He  who  is 
ashamed  to  be  called  a  workman  should  be  ashamed  to  reap 
any  of  the  benefits  produced  by  labor.  I  am  proud  to  say 
that  our  Order  is  composed  of  Workmen  w^ho  are  ever 
ready  to  do  anything  to  advance  a  fellow-man  in  the  scale 
of  civilization  and  usefulness.  This  is  why  we  have  met 
with  such  unprecedented  success.  We  have  worked  to 
make  men  and  women  better,  to  make  them  more  honorable 


His  Last  Speech.  '        215 

in  all  their  dealings  with  their  fellow-men.  The  proud 
position  which  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
occupies  to-day  in  the  rank  of  great  organizations  has  been 
brought  about  by  earnest,  faithful,  and  persistent  work,  and 
to  maintain  its  proud  standard  and  to  raise  it  to  even 
grander  proportions,  increased  fidelity  must  be  brought  to 
the  interests  confided  to  our  care. 

'''Our  Order  has  contributed  more  toward  curing  the 
great  monsters,  poverty  and  degradation,  than  any  other. 
It  has  driven  want  and  distress  from  thirty  thousand  fire- 
sides and  erected  in  their  stead  the  standard  of  hope  and 
protection.  The  widow's  tears  have  been  dried  and  the 
wail  of  the  orphan  hushed. 

'"Fraternity,  my  brothers,  is  the  foundation  upon  which 
our  Order  stands.  It  is  the  mainspring  that  prompts  us  to 
action  and  propels  us  forward  in  the  noble  work  of  Charity, 
Hope,  and  Protection.  Its  principles  are  like  unto  the  cease- 
less fountain  of  pure  waters,  charity  widening  out  of  the 
broad  stream  of  hope,  flowing  on  to  the  broad  ocean  of 
liberty.  Upon  the  bosom  of  this  ocean,  my  brothers,  to-day 
ride  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  thousand  Workmen,  and 
their  loved  ones  shudder  less  and  less  as  the  advancing 
difficulties  of  the  commercial  world  sweeps  over  their  heads. 

"  'Fraternity  in  its  true  and  full  sense  amounts  to  more 
than  mere  forms  and  ceremonies;  it  amounts  to  giving  pro- 
tection to  the  weak  and  money  to  the  needy.  It  means  a 
better  state  of  society;  it  means  fewer  outcasts  and  paupers 
and  more  of  civilization  and  progress.  Show  me  a  com- 
munity where  fraternal  societies  flourish,  and  I  challenge 
you  to  show  me  crowded  poor-houses  or  jails.  That  is 
something  important.  Who  ever  heard  of  a  Workman  be- 
ing carried  over  the  hills  to  the  poor-house?  Who  ever 
heard  of  a  member  of  our  noble  Order  being  buried  in  the 
potter's  field  or  in  the  pauper's  grave?  I  never  did,  and  I 
have  traveled  over  a  great  deal  of  the  country.  I  have  had 
a  great  interest  in  our  noble  Order,  and  that  is  one  thing  I 
have  never  heard  said  about  it. 

"'The  first  death  occurred  in  1871,  and  the  widow  re- 
ceived one  hundred  and   sixty   dollars.     Since  that   time 


216         •         Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

there  has  been  more  than  fifteen  millions  of  dollars  paid  io 
the  widows  of  the  deceased  brothers  of  our  Order;  that 
does  not  include  the  sick  benefits,  or  local  benefits,  or 
charity.  Brothers,  can  any  of  us  estimate  tlie  vast  amount 
of  suffering  that  has  been  relieved  by  the  distribution  of 
this  sum?  I  confess  that  I  cannot  comprehend  it  to  this 
day. 

"  'I  was  in  Boston  last  Friday  week.  We  had  extremely 
bad  weather.  Our  meeting  was  held  in  Tremont  Temple, 
and  I  suppose  that  there  were  one  thousand  people  in  the 
audience.  The  Order  is  growing  remarkably  fast  in  the 
jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  which  has  now  about  ten 
thousand  members.  I  believe  that  our  Order  at  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Supreme  Lodge  will  number  two  hundred 
thousand,  and  I  expect  to  live  to  see  one  million  members 
in  this  Order.  I  do  not  know  that  I  will  want  to  die  then, 
but  probably  I  shall  want  to  see  another  million.  I  do  not 
believe  my  w^ork  is  ended  yet. 

"'I  feel  proud  of  the  iVncient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
and  why  should  I  not  ?  There  never  was  a  man  who  lived 
that  had  such  a  family.  I  must  say  that  wherever  I  have  been 
I  was  treated  by  the  Workmen  as  a  father.  I  am  proud  of 
it.  I  appreciate  the  honor,  and  to-night  I  am  glad  to  meet 
with  you.  Brothers,  let  us  live  up  to  the  principles  of  our 
Order  and  meet  in  that  Grand  Lodge  above.' 

"  Eloquent  and  appropriate  speeches  were  made  by 
Grand  Overseer  Alfred  Frank  Custis;  Grand  Master  Work- 
man John  J.  Gallagher,  of  Maryland,  New  Jersey,  and  Dela- 
ware; Bros.  John  B.  Moffitt,  of  Spring  Garden  Lodge; 
Geo.  B.  Carr,  of  Mt.  Vernon  Lodge;  Morton  R.  Morris,  of 
Integrity  Lodge,  and  Past  Grand  Master  Workmen  Jos.  G. 
Smith  and  F.  J.  Keffer.  After  the  addresses  Father  Up- 
church  held  a  reception.  Each  brother  was  introduced  to 
him  and  shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  expressing  his 
pleasure  in  meeting  him." 

RETURNS    HOME. 

He  took  advantage  of  this  visit  to  Pennsylvania  to  visit, 
in   company  with   his  wife,    relatives    and    old    friends    in 


His  Death.  217 


Mauch  Chunk  and  Bethlehem,  staying  with  them  a  few 
days  before  finally  returning  to  his  home  in  Steelville. 
These  last  visits  to  the  Lodges  in  Boston  and  Philadcli)hia 
were  exceedingly  gratifying  to  him.  He  felt  that  the  grand 
organization  which  he  had  founded  was  away  beyond  the 
region  of  experiment,  that  it  was  one  of  the  fixed  institutions 
of  the  country,  and  that  its  principles  were  so  firmly  rooted 
in  the  hearts  of  the  people  as  to  give  assurance  of  its  per- 
manence and  success.  At  the  same  time  he  felt  that  he 
was  getting  to  be  an  old  man,  and  he  expressed  the  predic- 
tion that  this  would  probably  be  his  last  visit  East. 

He  arrived  home  about  the  middle  of  November,  and 
spent  the  next  three  months  about  his  ordinary  avocations, 
apparently  in  his  usual  health. 

HIS    DEATH. 

About  the  9th  of  January,  1887,  however,  he  was  taken 
sick  with  pneumonia,  but  no  great  danger  was  apprehended 
till  the  17th,  when  he  grew  seriously  worse,  and  died  next 
morning  at  fifteen  minutes  past  one,  surrounded  by  his 
wife  and  the  surviving  members  of  his  family.  Of  these, 
five  sons  out  of  fifteen  children  only  remain, — Theodore  F., 
Horace  C,  William  A.,  Curtis  L.,  and  John  C.  His  hon- 
ored wife,  the  good  mother  of  his  numerous  children,  for 
forty- six  years  his  faithful  companion  and  helpmeet,  con- 
sidering her  age,  the  vicissitudes  of  her  life,  and  her  great 
bereavement,  remains  in  tolerable  health  and  circumstances. 

NEWS   OF  HIS    DEATH. 

And  so,  in  peace  and  content,  the  great  work  of  his  life 
fully  accomplished,  surrounded  and  attended  by  the  loving 
ministrations  of  his  affectionate  family,  passed  away  the 
gentle  spirit  of  the  great  founder  and  father  of  our  Ancient 


218  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Order  of  United  Workmen.     Great  men,  who  by  reason  of 

fortuitous  circumstances  have  filled  exalted  stations,  and 
occupied  conspicuous  places  in  the  world's  regard,  are 
continually  passing  away;  but  few  men  having  so  few, ad- 
vantages have  ever  attained  such  universal  respect  during 
their  lives  or  been  so  sincerely  mourned  at  their  death. 

The  morning  following  the  sad  event,  wherever  the  tele- 
graph could  convey  the  sorrowful  announcement,  a  feeling 
of  regret  akin  to  that  experienced  at  a  personal  loss,  filled 
the  hearts  of  every  Workman,  and  in  a  thousand  Lodge 
rooms,  from  Maine  to  California,  and  from  Texas  to 
Canada,  before  any  official  order  had  been  promulgated, 
there  was  a  spontaneous  desire  to  drape  their  altars  in  the 
emblems  of  mourning.  Telegrams  and  letters  of  condo- 
lence from  all  kinds  and  conditions  of  people,  and  from  all 
quarters  of  the  continent,  poured  in  upon  the  stricken 
widow  and  bereaved  family. 

MESSAGES    OF    CONDOLENCE. 

Some  of  these,  as  samples  of  numerous  others,  we  insert. 
They  were  sent  direct  to  the  family,  or  through  Bro.  H.  L. 
Rogers,  Grand  Master  Workman  of  Missouri. 

''Toronto,  Ontario. 
"  H.  L.  Rogers,  Grand  Master  Workman:  Regret  prior 
peremptory  engagements  rendjr  my  attendance  at  funeral 
impossible.  The  sudden  demise  of  dear  Father  Upchurch 
has  created  a  profound  sensation  of  grief  throughout  the 
great  jurisdiction  of  Ontario,  as  it  will  have  over  this  vast 
continent.  I  have  directed  general  order  of  condolence  to 
be  issued;  fail  not  to  do  full  honor  to  the  memory  of  our 
lamented  Father.  G.  W.  Badgerow, 

Supreme  Master  Wo7'kman. 


Messages  of  Condolence.  219 


"Assembly  Chamber,  Sacramento,  Jan.  i8,  1887. 

"  H.  L.  Rogers,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman,  St. 
Louis,  Missouri— J/y  Dear  Brother:  Your  telegram  an- 
nouncing the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Father  Upchurch 
was  received  by  me  during  the  morning  session,  and  I  can- 
not express  to  you  the  surprise  and  sorrow  it  brought  me. 
At  half  past  twelve  o'clock,  p.  m.,  I  called  the  speaker  pro 
tern  to  the  chair.  Itook  the  floor,  and  after  saying  such 

fitting  words  as  I  could  command,  introduced  the  following 
resolution,  which  was  unanimously  adopted,  after  which  the 
House  adjourned  for  the  day: — 

'' '  Resolved,  That  when  this  House  adjourns  to-day,  it 
does  so  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Father  J.  J.  Up- 
church,  founder  of  the  beneficiary  fraternal  institutions  of 
America,  who  died  this  morning  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri.' 

"  A  press  of  business  and  my  own  strong  feelings  renders 
it  impossible  to  write  you  at  length  to-day.  Please  accept 
the  sympathy  which  I  feel  we  all  need,  and  express  to  the 
Workmen  where  v^er  you  may  meet  them  my  share  of  our 
common  sorrow.         Fraternally  yours, 

William  H.  Jordan,  Supreme  Forema7i" 

"  Chicago,  Illinois. 
"  My  Dear  Mrs.  Upchurch:  I  saw  in  the  morning 
paper  an  account  of  the  death  of  your  husband  and  my 
friend.  Father  J.  J.  Upchurch.  His  death  will  fall  heavily 
upon  the  members  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men everywhere,  and  you  will  have  the  sympathy  and 
kindly  aid  if  necessary  of  every  brother.  Hoping  God  will 
deal  kindly  with  you  and  yours,  I  am  very  truly  yours, 

Wm.  C.  Morris. 
Fast  Suprej7ie  Master  Workma7i. 

Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 
"  To  the  Members  of  the  Family  of  Father  J.  J.  Upchiwch:— 
One  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  members  of  the 
Workmen  help  to  mourn  the  loss  of  Father  Upchurch  and 
extend  their  sympathy  to  you  in  your  bereavement. 

M.  W.  Sackett,  Supreme  Recorder. 


220  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"■  Select  Knights,  A.  (9.  U.  W.'\ 
Headquarters  Supreme  Legion,  \ 
Topeka,  Kan,  January  19,  18S7.      J 
"  Mrs.    J.  J.    Upchurch,    Steelville,    Mo.:    I  have  just 
learned  by  telegraph  of  your  sad  bereavement,  and  the  loss 
our  Order  has  sustained  in  the  death  of  our  beloved  founder, 
Father  J.  J.  Upchurch. 

"  We  mourn  with  you  the  loss  of  one  of  the  purest  and 
noblest  of  earth,  whose  v;hole  life  has  always  been  a  pro- 
gressive life,  a  life  devoted  to  the  right. 

"Accept  the  sympathy  of  the  Select  Knights  from  Maine 
to  California,  and  their  pledge  that  you  shall  never  want  for 
home  and  friends.         Fraternally, 

Geo.  W.  Reed,  Supreme  Commaiidery 

"  San  Francisco,  California, 
"  H.  L.  Rogers,    Grand    Master:    Ca.lifornia,    in    union 
vv'ith  her  sister   Jurisdictions,  mourns  the  death  of  Father 
Upchurch,  and  places  a  wreath  of  immortelles  on  his  grave. 

Edwin  Danfortpi, 
Grand  Master  Workman. 

Salem,  Missouri. 
"Dear  'Grandma'  Upchurch  and  Family:  I  cannot 
tell  you  how  my  heart  ached  for  you  all,  at  the  loss  of  the 
dear  loved  one.  I  long  to  be  with  you  and  soothe  your  aching 
heart,  but  we  must  look  higher.  God  will  give  comfort  that 
no  earthly  friend  can.  Let  us  look  to  him  in  this  dreadful 
trial.  May  he  be  your  guide  and  comforter  in  this  hour  of 
trouble.  Your  true  friend, 

Mary  A.  W4LKER." 

"Cuba,  Missouri. 
"My  Dear  Mrs.  Upchurch:  It  was  with  the  deepest 
sorrow  and  regret  that  I  learned  of  the  death  of  jNIr.  Up- 
church, and  hasten  to  assure  you  and  your  family  of  my 
love  and  sympathy  in  this  your  greatest  affliction.  I  desire 
to  commend  you  to  Him  who  said,  '  Come  unto  me  all  ye 
that  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  What  com- 
fort indeed  to  feel  we  have  a  kind  and  gentle  Saviour  to 
lean  upon  and  enable  us  to  say,   '  Thy  will  be  done.' 

Mrs.  S.  M.  Wallace." 


Official  Announcements;  221 

official  announcements. 

The  following  official  announcement  and  request  were 
issued  by  the  Supreme  Master  Workman  the  day  after  his 
death: — 

"Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada,  January  19,  1.887. 
"  To  the  Grcmd  Master    Worhne7i  of  the   Various   Grand 
Lodges  of  the  Afieient  Order  of  United  Workmen: — 

"  Brothers:  It  is  with  feelings  of  deepest  sorrow,  that  I 
officially  announce  to  you,  and  through  you  to  the  Order  at 
large,  the  death  of  Father  Upchurch,  the  founder  of  our 
noble  Order. 

"  He  died  at  his  home  in  Steelville,  Missouri,  on  the 
morning  of  the  i8th  inst.,  after  a  short  illness. 

"  Details  of  his  personal  history  and  of  his  connection 
with  our  Order  are  well  known  to  the  membership,  and  uni- 
versal sorrow  at  the  announcement  of  his  death,  wall  testify 
to  the  high  appreciation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  broth- 
erhood. 

"  Rare  are  the  occasions  when  the  hearts  of  so  vast  a 
number  are  touched  wuth  deep  emotion  at  the  death  of  one 
who,  without  heralded  fame,  but  in  the  humbler  walks  of 
life,  conceived,  and  successfully  matured  a  plan  of  systematic 
charity  and  benevolence,  the  results  of  which  to-day  com- 
mand the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world. 

"  Father  Upchurch  has  gone,  but  the  great  work  which 
his  mind  conceived  still  lives,  and  will  endure  as  a  lasting 
monument  to  testify  to  the  nobleness  of  his  mind  and 
heart. 

"  It  is  my  request  that  you  direct  all  Subordinate  Lodges 
in  your  Jurisdiction  to  drape  their  charter,  altar,  and 
Lodge  room  for  the  term  of  six  weeks,  in  respect  to  the 
memory  of  Father  Upchurch,  the  founder  of  our  noble 
Order.  Yours  in  C,  H.,  and  P., 

George  W.  Badgerow, 
Si(pre??ie  Master  Workman, 

"  Attest: 

M.  W.  Sackett,  Supreme  Recorden^  ■ 


^22  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Of  the  announcements  and  recommendations  by  the 
Grand  Masters  of  the  various  Jurisdictions  we  insert,  be- 
cause most  convenient,  that  of  Grand  Master  Edwin  Dan  ■ 
forth,  to  the  Grand  Jurisdiction  of  CaUfornia: — 

"San  Francisco,  Gal.,  January  24,  1887. 

"  To  the  Subordiiiate  Lodges  of  the  Aiicient  Order  of  U?iited 
Workmen  of  Califorjiia: — 

"  You  are  hereby  officially  notified  of  the  death  of  the 
founder  of  our  Order,  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman  J.  J. 
Upchurch,  which  occurred  Tuesday,  January  18,  1887.  We 
mourn  the  loss  of  our  father  and  friend.  It  is  meet  and 
proper  that  the  California  Jurisdiction  should  do  something 
to  commemorate  the  sad  event.  Our  father  was  with  us  a  few 
months  since.  We  little  thought  that  the  Master  would  take 
him  hence  so  soon;  but  such  is  the  case.  When  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  make  him  a  present  some  time  ago,  the 
California  Jurisdiction  gave  one-third  the  entire  amount,  and 
it  is  believed  that  now  we  w^ill  do  as  much  or  more  than  any 
other  State  in  the  Supreme  Jurisdiction.  It  is  for  you  to  de- 
cide whether  we  shall  hold  memorial  services,  erect  a  monu- 
ment, or  adopt  some  other  way  of  perpetuating  the  memory 
of  Father  Upchurch.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Grand  Offi- 
cers and  delegates  of  the  various  Subordinate  Lodges  of 
this  city,  held  on  Friday  evening  last,  it  was — 

"  Resolved^  That  we  believe  it  to  be  due  to  the  memory 
of  Father  Upchurch,  that  a  monument  should  be  erected  in 
California,  and  we  respectfully  submit  the  idea  to  the 
brethren  of  this  Jurisdiction,  and  ask  them,  while  at  their 
Lodge  meetings,  to  debate  the  question,  and  send  the  result 
of  their  deliberations,  at  the  earliest  moment,  to  the  Grand 
Master  Workman. 

''The  Grand  Master  desires  and  requests  that  the  various: 
Subordinate  Lodges  throughout  this  Jurisdiction,  drape 
their  charters,  gavels,  emblems  of  the  Order,  and  officers' 
jewels  in  mourning  for  a  period  of  thirty  days.     Hoping 


Memorial.  223 


that  immediate  action  will  be  taken  on  above  resolution,  and 
the  results  forwarded  to  me,  I  remain 

''  Fraternally  yours,  Edwin  Danforth, 

Grand  Master  Workman* 
"  Attest: 

H.  G.  Pratt,  Grand  Recorder. ^^ 

RESOLUTIONS   OF   RESPECT. 

Of  In  Alemoriam  Resolutions  we  accord  the  first  place 
to  those  of  the  founder's  Lodge,  Jefferson,  No.  i,  of 
Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  the  first  Lodge  of  the  Order  ever 
instituted. 

"  To  the  Master  Workman,  Officers,  and  Brethre?i  of  Jeffer- 
son Lodge,  No.  I,  Ancient  Order  of  United   Workinen: — 

"  The  undersigned,  a  committee  appointed  to  prepare  and 
report  to  the  Lodge  a  proper  tribute  of  respect  to  the  mem- 
ory of  our  lately  deceased  brother,  John  Jordan  Upchurch, 
beg  leave  to  present  the  following 

MEMORIAL. 

"  In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-eight,  John  Jordan  Upchurch,  a  resident  of  the 
city  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  gathered  together  a  few  of 
his  fellow-workmen,  and  submitted  to  them  a  plan  that  he 
had  conceived  for  the  establishment  and  organization  of  a 
Mutual  Beneficial  Society,  which  was  to  have  for  its  object 
the  honor  and  protection  of  labor,  the  improvement  of  the 
moral,  intellectual,  and  social  qualities  of  its  members,  the 
destruction  of  any  unnecessary  existing  social  barriers  be- 
tween labor  and  capital,  the  uniting  of  employer  and  em- 
ploye in  one  sacred  bond  of  brotherhood,  and  the  creation 
and  disbursement  of  a  fund  for  the  benefit  of  sick  and  dis- 
abled members,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  deceased  worthy  members. 

^'The  plan  and  object  met  with  favor,  and  it  was  resolved 
by  himself  and  friends  to  establish  such  a  society,  and  on 
the  27th  day  of  October,  a.  d.,  1868,  the  Ancient  Order  of 


224  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

United  Workmen  was  organized  in  the  city  of  Meadville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i,  was  duly  insti- 
tuted. Brother  Upchurch,  the  author  of  the  Plan,  Consti- 
tution, and  Ritual  of  the  Order,  became  the  first  Master 
Workman  of  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i,  the  first  Lodge  of  the 
Order.  He  was  afterward  made  Provisional  Grand  Master 
Workman  of  the  Provisional  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  and  finally,  on  the  6th  day  of  October,  a.  d.  1869, 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was  duly  and  formally 
organized  in  the  city  of  Meadville,  and  then  Brother  Up- 
church was  duly  elected  and  installed  the  first  Grand  Mas- 
ter Workman  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the.  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  of  Pennsylvania.  Upon  the  subsequent 
organization  of  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen  of  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
Brother  Upchurch  was  honored  by  receiving  the  highest 
dignity  in  the  Order,  that  of  Past  Supreme  Master  Work- 
man. 

"  In  the  history  and  development  of  great  enterprises,  the 
credit  and  honor  of  their  origin  and  formation  often  become 
the  subject  of  contention  by  pretenders  and  false  claimants, 
and  so  was  the  case  in  the  history  of  this  Order.  It  was 
sought  by  envious  and  uncharitable  persons  from  time  to 
time,  to  deny  to,  and  deprive  Brother  Upchurch  of  his  well- 
earned  credit  in  this  respect,  but  they  were  silenced  by  evi- 
dence, and  after  the  fullest  and  most  thorough  investigation 
of  the  subject,  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  Order  has  form- 
ally placed  upon  its  records  and  among  its  archives,  the  ab- 
solute and  unequivocal  fact  that  to  Brother  John  Jordan 
Upchurch  belongs  the  honor  and  renown  of  being  the 
founder  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 

"For  some  time  after  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Brother  Upchurch  remained  within 
this  Jurisdiction,  and  a  few  years  ago  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  the  State  of  Missouri,  where  he  died  on  the  i8th 
of  January,  a.  d.,  1887. 

"  He  was  buried  under  the  rites  and  w'ith  the  honors  of 
the  Order,  and  under  the  auspices  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri. 


Memorial.  225 


'•  It  was  most  fitting  that,  at  these  last  sad  rites,  the  parent 
Lodge  of  the  Order,  and  which  was  formed  by  Brother  Up- 
church  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  of  which  he 
was  the  first  Grand  Master  Workman,  as  well  as  the  Supreme 
Lodge,  of  which  he  was  a  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman, 
should  be  duly  represented,  and  therefore,  among  the  thou- 
sands who  followed  the  mortal  remains  of  Brother  LTpchurch 
to  their  last  resting-place,  w^re  to  be  found  the  Recorder  of 
this  Lodge,  who  is  the  Grand  Master  Workman  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Supreme  Recorder  of  the 
Supreme  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

'•  The  sphere  of  Brother  Upchurch  in  life  was,  as  the 
world  reckons  it,  humble,  unpretending,  and  yet  of  how  few 
in  any  condition  can  it  be  said  that  so  honorable  a  position 
has  been  attained,  as  he  gained  in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow- 
men;  how  seldom  can  it  be  said  that  so  much  of  real  bene- 
faction, of  practical  charity,  and  of  ennobling  deeds  of  good- 
will have  been  accomplished  in  so  short  a  period  of  time,  as 
is  seen  in  the  growth  of  this  great  Order,  springing,  as  it 
did,  from  the  seeds  of  love,  benevolence,  and  philanthropy, 
sowm  in  the  tender  heart  and  practical  mind  of  Brother  J.  J. 
Upchurch,  the  modest  and  unassuming  founder  and  father 
of  this  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  Well  did  he 
understand  and  follow  the  tenets  of  those  cardinal  virtues  of 
Charity,  Hope,  and  Protection,  those  endearing  watchwords 
of  our  beneficent  Order. 

"  Brother  Upchurch  needs  no  tablet  of  brass  nor  monu- 
ment of  marble  to  perpetuate  his  virtues  and  to  eternize  his 
memory.  His  epitaph  is  written  in  the  records  of  the 
Supreme  Lodge  and  of  every  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodge 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  the  memo- 
rial of  his  good  and  beneficent  deeds  will  forever  find  lodg- 
ment in  the  hearts  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  his  surviving 
brethren,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  those  of  his  brethren  who  have  gone  before,  and 
of  the  beneficiaries  of  those  who,  in  their  turn,  shall  follow 
him. 

"  This  Lodge  takes  a  mournful  pleasure  in  thus  placing 
upon  record  its  high  esteem  for  the  benevolence,  kind-heart- 


226  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

edncss,  and  far-reaching  charity  of  our  deceased  brother, 
John  Jordan  Upchurch,  the  founder  and  father  of  this,  the 
parent  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
And  therefore,  it  is  ordered  that  this  memorial  be  entered 
upon  the  records  of  the  Lodge,  and  a  duly  attested  copy 
thereof  be  sent  to  the  widow  of  our  deceased  brother,  and 
as  an  evidence  to  the  Order,  and  the  world  at  large  of  the 
action  of  this  Lodge,  it  is  further  ordered  that  a  copy  of 
this  memorial  be  furnished  for  publication  in  the  journals  of 
the  Order  and  of  this  city. 

Pearson  Church,\ 

W.  A.  DOUGAN,  I 

J.  H.  Lenhart,        \C0m7nittee. 
M.  P.  Davis,  j 

J.  B.  McFadden,  V 
"  Attest: 

W.  A.  DouGAN,  Recorder. 
'-■February  i,  iSSy.''* 

resolutions  of  respect. 

We  could  fill  a  volume  with  Resolutions  of  Respect  from 
the  minutes  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  throughout  the 
country,  but  limitation  of  space  permits  us  room  for  only  one 
set,  and  we  insert  those  of  Keystone  Lodge,  No.  64,  of 
Oakland,  California  (among  the  first  adopted),  as  an  indica- 
tion of  the  feeling  of  all  the  rest: — 

"Hall  of  Keystone  Lodge,  No.  64,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  ) 
Oakland,  Cal,  January  25,  1887.      j 

"Whereas,  It  has  pleased  the  Supreme  Grand  Master  in 
Heaven  to  remove  from  our  Order  our  beloved  brother,  Fa- 
ther J.  J.  Upchurch. 

"Whereas,  As  the  founder  of  the  Order,  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  he  has  always  exhibited  the  greatest 
meekness  and  humility  with  the  gathering  laurels  of  its  mar- 
velous growth  and  prosperity,  an  earnest  friend  of  labor, 
pure  and  honest  in  every  thought,  true  in  his  friendship, 
warm  in  his  attachments,   modest  and  unassuming  in  his 


Preparations  for  the  Funeral.  227 

conduct,  he  commanded  and  possessed  in  the  fullest  degree 
the  love  and  confidence  of  that  mighty  brotherhood  he  had 
created  with  the  most  unshaken  faith  and  unclouded  hope, 
and  whose  daily  life  was  a  simple  but  beautiful  embodiment 
of  the  fraternal  sentiment;  therefore  be  it 

"■Resolved,  That  this  Lodge  deeply  mourns  the  death  of 
our  venerable  founder  and  brother,  and  feels  that  in  his  re- 
moval the  Order  has  lost  its  most  distinguished  member,  the 
community  in  which  he  lived  one  of  its  noblest  citizens,  and 
his  family  their  best  friend. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  his  faithful  widow  and  be- 
reaved family  our  sincere  sympathy  in  this,  the  hour  of  their 
great  affliction,  and  commend  them  to  the  care  of  Him  who 
doeth  all  things  well. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  token  of  our  deep  grief  at  the  loss  we 
have  sustained,  that  the  charter  of  our  Lodge  be  draped  in 
mourning  for  ninety  days. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolutions  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes  of  our  Lodge;  that  a  copy  be  sent  to  the  family 
of  our  departed  brother,  and  that  they  be  furnished  for 
publication  in  the  Pacific  States  lVatchma?i,  and  the  Oakland 
Tribune,  Times,  and  the  Enquirer. 

A.  T.  Dewey,    \ 

C.  E.  Alden,     V  Committee y 

D.  T.  Fowler,  ) 

preparations  for  the  funeral. 

Preparations  were  immediately  made  to  give  the  remains 
such  a  funeral  as  would,  in  a  sad  sense,  express  the  high 
regard  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  brothers  of  the  Order. 
The  Lodges  of  Workmen  and  Select  Knights  of  Steelville 
offered  their  services  in  any  way  they  could  be  of  use.  Jef- 
ferson Lodge,  No.  I,  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  the  first 
Lodge  of  the  Order  ever  instituted,  and  Franklin  Lodge,  No. 
3,  also  of  the  same  Grand  Jurisdiction,  the  Lodge  of  which 
he  was  a  member  at  the  time  of  his  death,  requested  the 
honor  of  having  his  remains  interred  in  the  town  where  the 


228  Life  of  Father  CJpchurch. 

pioneer  Lodge  was  inaugurated.  But  after  consultations 
between  the  local  Lodges  of  Steelville,  the  officers  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  and  members  of  his  fam- 
ily, it  was  finally  decided  that  he  should  be  buried  at  St. 
Louis.  Accordingly,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  under- 
took the  management  and  details  of  the  funeral.  A  bury- 
ing plot  was  secured  in  the  most  beautiful  part  of  that  most 
beautiful  of  the  cities  of  the  dead,  Bellefontaine,  near  St. 
Louis;  and  it  was  determined  that  there  should  be  two 
funeral  ceremonies,  one  at  his  late  home  in  Steelville,  and 
a  more  imposing  one  at  St.  Louis. 

On  Friday  morning,  January  21,  H.  L.  Rogers,  Grand 
Master  of  Missouri,  and  a  number  of  prominent  members 
of  the  Order  went  to  Steelville  to  conduct  the  ceremony 
there.  And  there,  in  a  beautiful  casket,  surrounded  by 
those  he  loved  so  well,  lay  all  that  was  mortal  of  him,  of 
whom  it  might  be  so  truly  said,  "None  knew  him  but  to 
love,  none  named  him  but  to  praise."  The  coffin  was 
trimmed  with  gold  and  silver  ornaments,  and  on  a  silver 
shield  was  the  inscription, — 


I  JOHN   J.   UPCHURCH, 

:  FATHER  OF  THE  A.  O.  U.  W., 

J  BORN,   MARCH  26,  1820;    DIED,  JANUARY   iS,   1887. 

i 


At  two  o'clock  the  Lodges  of  Steelville,  Cuba,  Salem, 
and  Rolla  marched  to  the  family  residence  headed  by  the 


Lying  in  State,  St.  Louis.  229 

Steelville  band,  playing  a  funeral  dirge.  From  there  the 
remains  were  escorted  to  the  Methodist  church,  the  follow- 
ing acting  as  pall-bearers :  Brothers  Samuel  Wyckoff,  Charles 
Bangert,  Patrick  Stacks,  Samuel  Durst,  Andrew  Pabst, 
William  Voss,  John  Hartfee,  Andrew  Pines,  John  Surch, 
John  Guffy,  Thomas  Mercelle,  Thomas  Holmes,  John 
Houston,  and  A.  D.  Day. 

The  exercises  were  opened  by  the  choir  singing,  "  Rest, 
Weary  Heait."  Rev.  John  D.  Vincil,  Supreme  Trustee, 
read  the  ninetieth  psalm,  and  the  choir  sang,  "  Jesus,  Lover 
of  My  Soul."  Rev.  T.  A.  Bowman  offered  a  prayer.  The 
second  Scripture  lesson  was  read  from  the  fifteenth  chapter 
of  Corinthians,  and  the  choir  sang,  "  It  Is  Well  with 
My  Soul."  Dr.  Vincil  then  delivered  the  funeral  discourse, 
taking  his  text  from  Proverbs,  fourth  chapter,  eighteenth 
verse:  "  But  the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that 
shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  The  dis- 
course is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  impressive  ever 
delivered  in  the  town  of  Steelville. 

At  the  close  of  the  address  the  funeral  procession  com- 
menced forming.  All  passed  by  the  remains  and  gave  a 
last  look  at  the  venerated  dead,  and  the  coffin  was  then 
carried  from  the  church  and  conveyed  to  Cuba  and  accom- 
panied to  St.  Louis  for  final  interment. 

On  arriving  at  the  Union  Depot  in  the  morning,  the 
remains  were  escorted  by  a  company  of  Select  Knights  to 
the  undertaking  establishment,  where  they  remained  under 
charge  of  a  guard  of  honor  until  Sunday  morning. 

LYING  IN  state,  sT.  LOUIS. 

At  ten  o'clock  next  morning  (Sunday),  the  body  was 
taken  from  the  undertaking  establishment  of  Smithers  & 
Waggoner  and  deposited  in  the  center  of  Masonic  Hallj 


230  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

and  here  it  lay  in  state  from  ten  o'clock  until  one  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  Throngs  from  the  various  Lodges  moved 
slowly  through  the  great  Lodge  room.  The  hallways  of  the 
Temple  were  crowded,  and  the  streets  in  the  vicinity  were 
filled  with  people.  It  is  estimated  that  ten  thousand  people 
passed  by  the  coffin.  Upon  the  casket  in  the  center  of  the 
Lodge  room  lay  the  cap  and  sword  of  the  venerable  founder 
of  the  Order  and  valiant  Sir  Knight,  and  a  floral  wreath 
from  the  Founders  Lodge  at  Steelville,  and  an  anchor  from 
Rolla  Lodge.  Numerous  beautiful  floral  offerings  graced 
the  Lodge  room.  On  the  platform  at  the  end  of  the  hall 
stood  four  handsome  pieces.  One,  in  the  form  of  a  shield, 
three  feet  in  height,  bore  the  inscription,  "Sixth  Regiment 
Select  Knights — Father  Upchurch,  Farewell."  A  pillow, 
made  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  was  composed  of 
white  and  yellow  roses,  with  the  word  "  California  "  in  blue 
immortelles  across  its  face.  Anvil  Lodge,  No.  75,  contrib- 
uted a  pillow  made  of  white  flowers,  with  the  name  of  the 
Lodge  in  purple  immortelles.  The  fourth  piece  was  made 
for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  and  was  a  magnificent 
tribute.  The  central  figure  was  a  large  anchor  passing 
through  a  shield,  with  an  arched  bar  above  and  a  straight 
bar  below,  all  composed  of  the  choicest  of  cut  flowers  and 
roses  of  the  purest  white,  egded  with  ivy  leaf  On  the 
'arched  bar  at  the  top  w^ere  the  words,  ''  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri;"  on  the  shield,  'A.  O.  U.  W.;"  on  the  bottom 
of  the  anchor,  "C  H.  P.;"  and  on  the  straight  bar  at  the 
base,  "  He  Rests  Well."  The  lettering  w^as  all  done  in 
purple  immortelles. 

ADDRESS  OF  GRAND  MASTER  WORKMAN  ROGERS. 

At  intervals  while  the  procession  was  passing  through  the 
hall,  the  band  played  solemn  dirges.     At  two  o'clock  the 


Address  of  G.  M.  W.  Rogers.  231 

bereaved  family  wore  conducted  to  seats,  and  Grand  Master 
Workman  Rogers  ascended  the  rostrum  and  delivered  the 
following  address: — 

"Brethren  and  Friends:  A  sad  duty  has  devolved 
to-day  upon  the  brethren  of  Missouri.  We  esteem  it  a  high 
privilege  that  it  falls  to  our  lot,  when  the  time  has  come,  to 
lay  away  in  the  still,  narrow  house  of  death,  with  loving 
hands  and  sorrowing  hearts,  our  father. 

"This  is  not  a  time  for  many  words  from  me,  called  as  I 
am  to  introduce  the  ceremonies  of  this  occasion  as  the 
representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri. 

"Away  back  in  sacred  history  we  read  of  a  time  when 
the  Saviour  of  the  world  was  on  earth,  that  he  stood 
beside  the  grave  where  friends  were  laying  their  loved  one 
in  its  last  resting-place;  and  it  is  not  recorded  that  he 
delivered  a  funeral  oration  on  that  occasion,  or  that  he  pro- 
nounced any  eulogy  upon  the  dead,  but  we  have  only  the 
record  in  these  simple  and  touching  words,  'Jesus  wept.' 

"  We  come  here  to-day  to  mingle  our  tears  with  the  tears 
of  those  who  are  most  bereaved;  we  come  to  burn  incense 
over  the  bier  of  the  departed.  Gathering  as  we  do  under 
our  protection  and  sympathy  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
our  brethren  all  over  the  land,  we  come  with  them  to  tender 
our  thank-offering  and  heart-felt  gratitude  that  he  has  lived. 

'' Wi.h  us  to-day  gather  three  groups  of  mourners.  First, 
the  multitude  of  widows  who  in  the  darkest  hour  of  their 
bereavement,  in  the  day  of  their  deep  and  hopeless  desola- 
tion, saw  the  first  silver  light  of  hope  through  the  works  of 
our  departed  brother,  Father  Upchurch.  Then  come  the 
thousands  of  orphans,  who  see  others  weep,  but  know 
not  the  reason  why,  not  knowing  how  great  has  been  their 
loss.  These,  in  a  later  day,  when  they  have  passed  the 
dangers  incident  to  poverty  and  want,  when  they  realize  the 
benefits  they  have  derived  from  the  work  of  this  good  man, 
that  they  have  been  saved  to  useful  manhood  and  woman- 
hood by  the  instrumentality  of  the  work  he  began,  then 
their  thanks  will  rise  up  as  sweet  incense  forever,  in  memory 
of  the  works  of  our  beloved  and  now  departed  father. 


232  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

"  And  there  comes  another  throng  lo-day,  a  stalwart  band, 
to  mingle  their  tears  with  ours.  Tim  3  was  when  the  count- 
less multitudes  of  workers  in  this  land,  struggling  to  provide 
food  and  shelter  for  wife  and  children,  looked  forward  to 
the  day  of  their  dissolution,  and  beheld  only  darkness  and 
a  hopeless  pall  hanging  over  them;  and  the  thought  came  to 
them  with  agony:  If  1  die  what  will  become  of  this  wife 
and  these  little  ones  ?  This  question  agonized  their  hearts 
whenever  the  thought  of  death  would  come;  but  their  cry 
was  heard,  and  this  quiet,  thoughtful  man  rose  from  his 
lathe  in  the  machine  shop  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and 
said:  'This  is  the  way  the  poor  man  may  have  hope,'  and 
when  these  words  were  spoken  this  dark  veil  was  rent  in 
twain,  and  the  glorious  light  of  hope  beamed  through  the 
rift,  shining  before  the  toiling  millions,  to  light  their  path- 
way for  all  ages  to  come.  These  countless  tliousands  come 
here  to-day  to  mingle  their  tears  with  ours  over  the  death 
of  him  who  has  given  hope  to  the  poor  man. 

"As  I  said  in  the  beginning,  I  will  not  mock  the  solem- 
nity of  this  scene  by  further  words.  We,  his  brethren,  with 
the  widows  and  orphans,  who  have  felt  his  kindly  benefac- 
tions; these  men,  not  only  those  connected  with  our  own 
Order,  but  all  that  have  grown  up  since  these  magic  words 
were  spoken,  meet  together  around  the  grave  of  our  ven- 
erated and  beloved  Father  Upchurch,  to  w^eep. 

The  choir  then  sang,  "  Asleep  in  Jesus,"  and  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman  Vincil  followed  with  an  oration. 

ORATION  OF  PAST  GRAND  MASTER  WORKMAN  VINCIL. 

"  Brethren  and  Fellow-citizens:  Day  before  yester- 
day, in  the  quiet  town  of  Steelville,  Missouri,  I  enjoyed  the 
distinguished  privilege  of  delivering  a  funeral  sermon  over 
the  remains  of  our  departed  friend,  Brother  Upchurch. 

"  I  had  thought  the  performance  of  that  duty  sufficient 
to  exempt  me  from  further  responsibility  in  the  matter,  but 
my  friend  and  brother.  Grand  Master  Rogers,  ordered  it 
otherwise;  hence  I  am  before  you  here  to  join  with  my 
brethren  in  offering  a  further  tribute  to  the  memory  and 


Oration  of  P.  G.  M.  W.  Vincil.  233 

worth  of  the  departed.  And  I  feel,  gentlemen,  that  I  voice 
the  grief  and  the  sorrow  of  a  million  people  at  this  hour. 
He  whose  remains  lie  before  us  now,  belonged,  not  to  our 
own  State,  nor  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  but,  when  he  or- 
ganized the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  he  became 
cosmopolitan  in  principle  and  in  character,  and  belonged 
to  humanity.  No  place  should  claim  him,  no  State  can 
arrogate  to  itself  the  honor  that  he  was  ours  exclusively, 
as  he  belonged  to  humanity.  The  fact  being  known  to 
thousands,  that  at  this  hour  we  are  performing  funeral 
obsequies  in  the  presence  of  his  remains,  I  but  voice  the 
feelings  of  those  thousands  when  I  join  with  you  in  this 
tribute  of  sorrow,  mingled  with  their  griefs  that  our  patri- 
archal friend  has  been  taken.  We  shall  see  his  face  no 
more.  In  the  home  circle,  where  his  sweet  and  quiet 
presence  was  a  benediction,  in  the  Lodge,  where  he  was 
honored,  in  our  Supreme  Councils,  where  he  was  venerated 
— in  all  these  relations  and  places  there  will  be  a  sad  va- 
cancy.    In  the  touching  strains  of  the  war  lyrics: — 

'  We  shall  meet  but  we  shall  miss  him, 
There  will  be  one  vacant  chair.' 

"  I  congratulate  the  Workmen  of  Missouri,  the  citizens 
of  St.  Louis,  and  the  brotherhood  of  this  city  on  the  fact 
that  our  departed  friend  and  brother  has  been  left,  by  the 
choice  of  his  family,  to  sleep  among  us.  Steelville,  the 
place  of  his  last  residence,  where  his  departing  spirit  went 
hence;  Missouri,  as  the  commonwealth  of  his  adoption;  St. 
Louis,  as  the  place  where  he  is  to  receive  honored  sepulture, 
may  be  congratulated  that  Brother  Upchurch  lived,  and 
died,  and  sleeps  among  us.  In  Steelville  went  out  a  life 
that  was  a  blessing  to  humanity;  in  the  soil  of  Missouri  his 
remains  shall  sleep,  and  the  Workmen  and  citizens  of  St. 
Louis  have  the  privilege  and  the  honor  accorded  them  of 
laying  his  body  to  rest  in  the  dreamless  quietude  of  our 
beautiful  Bellefontaine.  I  prize  the  honor,  I  cheiish  the 
fact. 

"It  was  said  by  one  of  the  wisest  men  of  all  time,  that 
'a  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great  riches.'  I 
believe  it.     For  be  it  known  unto  you,  fellow-citizens,  that 


234  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

that  good  name  has  been  accorded  to  J.  J.  Upchurch  by 
thousands  multipUed,  and  the  verdict  has  never  been  ques- 
tioned. 

'•  It  was  the  dream  of  Charlemagne  to  restore  the  empire 
of  the  CiBsars,  and  the  hope  of  King  Arthur  to  revive  the 
ancient  civiHzation,  and  embrace  humanity  in  one  brother- 
hood, represented  by  the  '  Round  Table.'  With  his  good 
sword,  'Excalibur,'  Sir  Arthur  went  forth,  followed  by  his 
noble  knights,  seeking  to  break  the  shackles  that  bound  the 
masses,  redress  the  wrongs  of  the  oppressed,  and  lead 
humanity  to  a  higher  plane  of  development.  Brother  Up- 
church never  wielded  a  sword,  in  the  carnal  sense  of  that 
word.  Brother  Upchurch  never  founded  an  empire,  or  led 
armies  to  battle,  or  reared  grand  structures  to  live  on  the 
map  of  time,  through  the  coming  years.  And  though  he 
may  havebuilded  wiser  than  he  knew,  he  reared  one  structure 
within  whose  sacred  precincts  thousands  have  found  sanctu- 
ary, realizing  the  rich  fruitage  of  benefaction  and  of  good. 
And  to-day,  not  only  a  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand 
warm-hearted  and  heroic  "Workmen  follow  in  his  footsteps, 
but  thousands  of  widows  and  orphans  that  have  been  the 
recipients  of  his  benefactions,  indirectly,  rise  up  to  call  him 
blessed,  and  to  honor  his  name — a  name  rather  to  be  chosen 
than  great  riches;  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  gold  and  silver, 
because  of  the  loving  favor  with  which  that  name  is 
cherished. 

"Thus,  brothers  and  citizens,  I  offer  to-day,  in  brief,  a 
personal  tribute,  and  accord  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
my  warm  appreciation,  which  was  the  result  of  personal 
association,  springing  from  the  very  tender  relationships  be- 
tween the  deceased  and  myself.  I  am  glad  that  on  this 
occasion,  so  memorable  in  the  history  of  the  Order  of 
United  Workmen  in  this  country,  one  of  the  very  first  men 
enlisted  in  the  work  of  that  Order,  at  Meadville,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Bro.  M.  W.  Sackett,  Supreme  Recorder,  is  here  to  bear 
his  part  in  offering  this  tribute,  and  laying  upon  the  coffin 
of  our  departed  founder  his  wreath  of  honor.  I  would  that 
some  man  had  been  here  from  among  the  earlier  associates 
of  Upchurch,  and  chosen  to  fill  my  place.     As  one  of  the 


Oration  of  P.  G.  "M.  W.  Vincil. 


younger  and  later  accessions  to  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  that 
Order,  which  was  founded  by  him  in  1868,  I  feel  that 
another  should  have  performed  this  delicate  task.  There 
seemed  to  be,  in  those  times  when  our  Order  was  started,  a 
demand  for  a  man  to  meet  given  conditions,  and  God  pre- 
pared and  brought  forth  the  man,  and  placed  him  before 
the  thought  and  the  attention  of  the  American  people. 
And  I  say  to  you,  fellow-citizens,  that  the  time  never  was 
more  auspicious  for  the  uprising  of  a  leader,  and  the  develop- 
ment of  a  character  to  make  its  impression  upon  and  give 
direction  to  a  beneficent  Order,  than  at  that  period.  Then 
the  quiet  but  active  and  unpretending  workman,  amid  his 
toils,  framed  and  formulated  a  system  of  benefaction  for 
our  people,  that  came  within  the  reach  of  the  thousands 
and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  his  countrymen,  whose  hands 
were  hardened  by  toil,  and  whose  lives  were  spent  in  the 
earnest  endeavor  to  make  ends  meet,  and  to  provide  a 
precarious  subsistence  for  their  dependent  ones. 

"You  know,  gentlemen,  that  the  time  has  been,  and  is 
yet  upon  us,  when  an  unfortunate  conflict  between  capital 
and  labor  that  produced  abrasions,  and  frictions,  and  con- 
tests to  be  deplored,  and  out  of  a  pernicious,  as  well  as 
false  conception  of  social  life  has  grow^n  up  a  feeling  that 
has  caused  thousands  to  look  down  upon  the  multitude  of 
common  mortals  as  mere  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of 
water.  The  consequence  has  been  that  the  toiler,  the 
laboring  man,  has  been  placed  at  a  disadvantage,  and  has 
been  forced  to  look  around  him  for  sources  of  protection 
and  of  guaranty  for  his  family.  As  a  result,  such  organiza- 
tions as  we  represent  to-day,  born  in  the  brain  of  an  Up- 
church,  cradled  in  the  loving  arms  of  those  who  united  with 
him  in  the  formation  of  the  Supreme  Lodge,  spread  through 
the  agencies  of  the  Grand  Lodges,  from  the  rising  of  the 
sun  in  the  far  East  to  where  it  sets  in  golden  splendor  on 
the  coast  of  the  Pacific. 

"  This  organization,  through  the  agencies  thus  put  to 
work,  has  accomplished  grand  and  magnificent  results  for 
the  laboring  people  of  the  country.  In  its  incipient  history 
it  was  unpopular,  because  capital,  always  jealous,  and  sensi- 


236  Life  of  Father  tJPCHURCTt. 

tive,  and  suspicious,  looked  down  upon  the  name  we  had 
assumed,  and  thought  because  we  bore  the  cognomen  of 
'Workmen,'  we  belonged  to  that  irrepressible  class  of  an- 
archists and  destructionists  that  would  strike  down  pros- 
perity, burn  up  our  cities,  and  eclipse  forever  the  glories  of 
our  institutions  with  the  smoke  of  desolation.  They  looked 
upon  us  with  contempt;  we  w^ere  called  the  'Workingmen's 
Society,'  the  'United  Workingmen,'  and  were  scorned  be- 
cause of  that  title.  But  it  was  not  long  until  other  associa- 
tions sprang  into  being  with  the  same  idea,  the  beneficiary 
feature,  and  took  on  all  that  was  peculiar  to  our  society. 
And  to  popularize  their  imitations  of  our  Order,  they 
assumed  foreign  titles,  and  hence  it  was  '  royal,'  and 
'knights,'  and  the  'superb,'  and  'legion,'  and  everything 
else  that  was  taking. 

"I  am  proud  to-day,  fellow-citizens,  that  I  belong  to  an 
organization  that  bears  the  simple  name  of  '  Workmen,' 
and  that  it  was  christened  by  working  men  whose  hands 
were  hardened  by  toil;  and  whose  muscles  and  bones  grew 
weary  under  the  restraints  of  labor.  The  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  had,  as  primary  objects,  the  elevation  of  that 
class  of  men  whose  time  was  occupied  in  labor,  improve 
their  morals  and  their  minds,  bring  them  into  closer  rela- 
tionship with  each  other,  and  make  what  never  seemed 
possible  before  anywhere  on  the  globe,  a  brotherhood  united 
by  the  trinity  of  links.  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity.  And 
underlying  this  beautiful  trinity,  comes  that  which  was  the 
watchword  of  Upchurch,  Charity,  Hope  and  Protection. 
This  was  his  work.  In  the  years  that  we  have  passed 
since  this  conception  and  inspiration,  n:iore  than  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  have  enrolled  under  its 
banners;  more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty  milHons  of 
dollars  to-day  stand  pledged  as  guarantee  for  the  families  of 
these  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  members,  and 
the  amount  of  money  already  paid  to  widows  and  orphans 
since  the  organization  was  brought  into  being,  added  to 
that  which  is  guaranteed  as  benefits  to  members'  families, 
would  amount  to  four  hundred  millions  of  dollars.  What 
hath  been  wrought  in  these  few  years!     Charlemagne  might 


Oration  of  P.  G.  M.  W.  Vincil.  237 


dream  of  empire,  and  Arthur  hope  for  the  unity  represented 
by  the  'Round  Table,'  but  here,  gentlemen,  is  practical 
work,  resulting  not  only  in  brotherhood  and  fraternity,  but 
in  real  positive  benefactions  to  hundreds  of  thousands. 
And  with  such  wealth  as  this  and  these  important  results 
accruing,  wherever  there  are  tears  of  sorrow  to  dry,  and 
throbbing  hearts  to  quiet,  we  are  glad  to  remember  him  who 
is  taken  from  us  so  unexpectedly. 

"  It  remains  for  us  who  are  living,  to  bear  him  to  his 
silent  resting-place  in  BcUefontaine,  to  lay  him  gently  down 
to  sleep,  remembering  that  he  sleeps  well  because  he  sleeps 
in  Jesus.  I  would  be  untrue  to  myself,  to  the  occasion,  and 
to  the  character  of  the  man  I  honor,  did  I  not  speak  a  word 
here  of  his  religious  character.  Brother  Upchurch,  while  he 
was  a  humanitarian  and  a  philanthropist,  was  the  highest 
style  of  man— a  Christian  gentleman.  A  little  over  forty 
years  ago  he  professed  faith  in  Christ,  connected  himself 
with  the  Methodist  Church,  and  held  the  profession  of  his 
faith  and  Christian  character  and  standing  through  all  the 
intervening  years.  The  rounding  up  of  that  amiable,  gentle 
and  pure  life  was  to  have  a  minister  of  Christ  kneel  at  his 
bedside  and  commend  him  in  prayer  and  faith  to  the  God 
he  loved.  Loved  in  life,  revered  in  death,  glorious  in  im- 
mortality, his  works  do  follow  him.  In  this  Jurisdiction, 
where  his  name  is  honored  and  his  memory  revered,  we  will 
place  our  loving  tributes  upon  his  grave,  and  say:  'Sleep, 
patriarch,  sleep  on — we  would  not  break  thy  slumber  by  a 
sigh.' 

"  If  the  beautiful  statue  of  Memnon,  m  response  to  the 
kiss  of  a  sunbeam,  sent  forth  its  sweet  tremulos  and  resonant 
music,  will  there  not  be  evoked  from  the  living  statues  of 
human  hearts  and  tender  affection,  sweeter  melocies  and 
more  dulcet  strains  as  the  name  of  Upchurch  is  mentioned 
or  remembered  in  the  coming  time,  when  the  sunshine  of 
charity  falls  upon  grateful  natures.  And  though  the  statue 
we  may  erect  in  Bellefontaine  be  nothing  but  cold,  insen- 
sate marble,  yet  every  morning  sunbeam  that  crowns  it  with 
beauty  shall  but  portray  the  simple  beauty  of  his  life,  and 
furnish  a  living  prophecy  of  his  immortality.     That  statue 


238  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

we  propose  to  raise  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  of  his  brethren;  and  en 
its  base  we  v/ill  carve  a  name,  simple,  yet  sisnificant,  *  Up- 
church.'  Upon  its  shaft  we  will  carve  an  open  Bible,  and 
above  it  inscribe  in  golden  letters,  '  Charity,  Hope,  and 
Protection/  and  on  the  obverse  side  write  that  sweet,  gentle 
expression  that  was  characteristic  and  descriptive  of  his  life: 
'  Peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men.'  With  a  happy  group 
of  widows  and  orphans,  whose  smile  shall  brighten  with 
every  sunbeam,  the  work  \vill  be  complete.  And  when  the 
sun  rises  and  throws  its  sheen  of  beauty  over  the  lovely 
city  of  the  dead — Bellefontaine— let  its  first  kiss  touch  the 
apex  of  the  Upchurch  monument,  bathing  it  in  light  and 
clothing  it  in  glory — when  the  golden  king  of  day  shall  ride 
through  the  heavens  in  his  chariot  of  splendor,  let  the  last 
coronation  of  the  Upchurch  monument  be  the  sunbeam's 
simple  light. 

''  Beautiful  his  life,  Christian  his  character,  solid  his  fame; 
and  down  the  coming  years  that  name,  coupled  in  grand 
unity  with  simple  deeds,  shall  point  back  to  the  epoch  in 
which  true  philanthropy  was  born,  an  Order  projected  by  a 
laboring  man,  and  humanity  in  the  coming  centuries,  rise  up 
and  thank  God  that  Upchurch  ever  lived." 

The  casket  was  then  removed  by  the  pall-bearers  as  follows: 
M.  W.  Sackett,  Supreme  Recorder;  W.  \V.  Hanscom,  of 
California;  L.  L.  Troy,  Past  Grand  Master,  Illinois;  B.  F. 
Russell  of  Steelville;  Wm.  A.  Dugan,  Grand  Master  Work- 
man, Pennsylvania;  Geo.  W.  Reed,  Past  Grand  Master 
Workman,  Kansas;  D.  H.  Shields,  Past  Grand  Master 
Workman,  and  B.  F.  Nelson,  Missouri.  Then  followed  the 
mourners,  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  and 
visitors.  Among  the  latter  were  M.  W,  Sackett,  Supreme 
Recorder  of  Pennsylvania;  E.  W.  Tanner  and  Thos.  Erwin, 
representing  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  i,  of  Meadville,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  original  lodge  established  by  Upchurch  in 
1868;  Ignatz  Baum,  Grand  Master  Workman;  Fred  Beck, 


Conclusion.  239 


Past  Grand  Foreman,  and  W.  C.  Gallaway,  Chairman 
Finance  Committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois;  M. 
H.  Fuqua,  Jas.  li.  Tiefenbrun,  R.  L.  Wilson,  of  St.  Joseph 
Lodge,  No.  249,  and  W.  A.  Wyatt,  Chas.  T.  Minturn  and 
Wm.  Page,  Pride  of  the  West  Lodge,  No.  42,  of  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri;  T.  D.  Smith,  Newburg,  Missouri;  C.  A.  Herb, 
N.  L.  Winter,  W.  H.  Helmein,  L.  Fager,  A.  Sotier,  A.  F. 
Erbeck  and  J.  G.  Quigley,  of  Alton,  Illinois.  Steelville, 
Missouri,  the  home  of  the  deceased,  was  represented  by  B. 
F.  Russell,  Thos.  Everson,  E.  A.  Bass,  J.  T.  Haley,  Chas. 
Adair,  A.  J.  Pinas,  T.  R.  Gibson,  J.  F.  Evans,  J.  A. 
Headrick,  P.  D.  Cooper,  J.  W.  Houston,  and  John  Hanafm. 
The  hearse  was  drawn  by  four  horses  caparisoned  in  black. 
The  funeral  car  proceeded  from  Seventh  and  Market  to 
Walnut,  on  Fourth  to  Washington  Avenue,  Fourteenth  to 
Locust,  and  on  Locust  to  Leffingwell,  where  carriages  were 
in  waiting  to  convey  delegations  from  each  Lodge  to  Belle- 
fontaine,  where  the  body  was  laid  to  its  long  rest. 

CONCLUSION. 

There  have  doubtless  been  grander  funerals,  and  more 
imposing  pageants  than  that  which  followed  the  remains  of 
the  venerable  founder  to  their  last  resting-place.  But  it 
has  seldom  fallen  to  the  lot  of  mortal,  to  have  more  sincere 
mourners  than  those  who  gathered  round  the  grave  in  beau- 
tiful Bellefontaine,  in  the  gathering  twilight  of  that  winter 
evening,  to  gaze  their  last  on  John  Jordan  Upchurch,  the 
Father  of  The  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 


Incidents  in  the  History  of  the  Order. 


John  Jordan  Upchurch,  founder  of  the  Order,  was  born 
in  FrankUn  County,  North  CaroHna,  March  26,  1820. 

Order  estabHshed,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  October  27, 
1868. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  organized  July  14,  1869. 

Division  among  the  Pennsylvania  Lodges  December  10, 
1870. 

Reconciliation  of  the  Lodges  January  14,  1873. 

First  Supreme  Lodge  convened  February  ii,  1873. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  suspended  September  17,  1875. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  restored  April  6,  1876. 

Institution  of  the  Order  of  Select  Knights,  by  Clark  D. 
Knapp,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  1880. 

THE    YELLOW    FEVER    INCIDENT. 

In  1878  there  were  seventy-six  deaths  from  the  yellow 
fever  epidemic;  forty-seven  in  Tennessee,  and  twenty-nine 
in  the  Supreme  Lodge  Jurisdiction.  To  meet  the  extraor- 
dinary demand  caused  by  this  increased  mortality,  the 
Supreme  Lodge  authorized  relief  calls  on  all  the  Grand 
Jurisdictions.  These  were  reluctantly  paid  by  some,  and 
refused  by  Iowa.  Delays  were  requested  and  granted,  till, 
on  February  7,  1882,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa,  at  Cedar 
Rapids,  formally  refused  to  meet  the  Supreme  Lodge  call. 

March  i,  1882,  Supreme  Master  Workman  Wm.  H. 
Baxter  revoked  the  Charter  and  suspended  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Iowa.  May  16,  1882,  Loyal  Grand  Lodge  of 
Iowa  re-instated  at  Marshaltown,  Iowa. 

April  10,  1885,  Father  Upchurch  invited  to  visit  Califor- 
nia. Arrived  at  San  Francisco  June  23,  1885.  Reached 
home  September  14,  1885.  Visited  Boston  and  Philadel- 
phia October,  1886.  Died,  Steelville,  Missouri,  January  18, 
188  . 


APPENDIX. 


It  would  seem,  that  in  the  compilation  of  this  book,  the  edi- 
tor's task  would  be  incomplete  without  some  account  of  the 
memorial  exercises  held  in  respect  to  the  subject  of  it. 
We  shall  therefore  as  a  fitting  appendix  add  some  such  ac- 
count of  services  rendered  in  honor  of  his  memory  by  his 
loving  children  of  the  Pacific  Slope  in  the  Grand  Jurisdic- 
tion of  California.  On  Tuesday,  January  i8,  the  news  of 
his  death  was  received  in  San  Francisco. 

Wednesday  morning,  Grand  Master  Workman  Danforth, 
Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Barnes,  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ter Workman  Poland,  Grand  Recorder  Pratt  and  Past  Mas- 
ter Workman  Dewey  representing  the  Pacific  States  Watch- 
v'ia?t,  met  in  the  office  of  the  Grand  Recorder,  and  after  a  brief 
informal  talk.  Grand  Master  Workman  Danforth  decided  to 
issue  a  call  for  a  meeting  to  take  proper  action  on  the  death  of 
Father  Upchurch.  Accordingly  the  following  invitation 
was  drawn  up,  to  be  forwarded  to  all  Past  Grand  Master 
Workmen,  Master  Workmen,  District  Deputies,  Legion 
Commanders  of  the  Select  Knights,  and  the  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  Legions  in  San  Francisco: — 

"  You  are  hereby  earnestly  requested  to  be  present,  with- 
out fail,  at  32  O'Farrell  Street,  on  Friday  evening,  the  21st 
inst,  at  eight  o'clock  P.  M.,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
arrangements  for  a  meeting  to  pay  a  fitting  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  Father  Upchurch.  E.  Danforth, 

Grand  Master  lVork?ne7i" 

Pursuant  to-the  above  notice,  delegates  from  most  of  the 
16  •  (241) 


242  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

San  Francisco  Lodges  met  at  the  time  and  place  designated. 
Grand  Master  Danforth  presided  and  Past  Grand  Master 
Barnes  acted  as  Secretary.  After  discussing  the  feasibility 
of  erecting  a  monument,  the  matter  was  relegated  for  con- 
sideration by  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  and  the  following 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  make  arrangements  for  a 
memorial  service:  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  William  H. 
Barnes,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman  J.  T.  Rogers,  Samuel 
M.  Shortridge,  Grand  Commander  Select  Knights,  Past 
Master  Workman  E.  M.  Reading  and  Past  Master  Work- 
man James  N.  Block. 

MEMORIAL   SERVICES. 

The  committee  appointed  Sunday  afternoon,  February 
13,  and  the  Grand  Opera  House  on  Mission  Street,  as  the 
time  and  place  for  holding  the  memorial  services.  Past 
Master  Workman  Bro.  J.  N.  Young,  of  Sacramento,  was  re- 
quested to  deliver  the  eulogy.  Past  Master  Workman  Dr.  M. 
S.  Levy,  of  Oakland,  to  act  as  Chaplain,  and  Past  Master 
Workman  Sam  Booth,  of  Excelsior,  No.  126,  San  Francisco, 
as  poet  of  the  occasion.  In  the  meantime  appropriate 
action  was  being  taken  by  Subordinate  Lodges  in  their  in- 
dividual capacity  all  over  the  country.  Notably  by  Key- 
stone Lodge,  No.  61,  of  Oakland,  and  Excelsior,  No.  126,  of 
San  Francisco.  The  latter  held  a  regular  memorial  service  in 
its  Lodge  hall,  January  27,  when  Past  Grand  Master  J.  T. 
Rogers  and  Wm.  H.  Barnes  delivered  eloquent  eulogies, 
and  Bro.  E.  Knowlton  of  that  Lodge  read  an  original  poem. 

OAKLAND    MEMORIAL    SERVICE. 

In  response  to  the  action  of  Keystone  Lodge,  the  first  to 
meet,  the  Lodges  of  Alameda  County  held  a  joint  memorial 
service  in  the  Colosseum,  Oakland,  Sunday  afternoon,  Feb- 
ruary 6. 


Oakland  Memorial  Service.  243 

The  stage  was  occupied  by  E.  B.  Marston,  Past  Master 
Workman;  Hon.  W.  H.  Jordan,  Supreme  Foreman;  Edwin 
Danforth,  Grand  Master  Workman  of  the  State  of  Califor- 
nia; Wm.  H.  Barnes,  Past  Grand  Master  Workman;  Rev. 
Dr.  Akerly,  E.  F.  Loud,  Grand  Foreman;  H.  G.  Pratt, 
founder  of  the  Order  in  California  and  Grand  Recorder;  E. 
M.  Reading,  Secretary  Workmen's  Guarantee  Fund  Associa- 
tion and  Past  Grand  Commander  Select  Knights;  J.  N. 
Young,  Past  Master  Workman  of  Sacramento,  Sam  Booth 
and  other  members  of  the  Grand  Lodore. 

o 

The  services  were  opened  with  singing  the  anthem, 
"  Trusting,"  by  a  double  quartette  of  male  voices,  under 
the  direction  of  Bro.  W.  H.  Kinross.  A  prayer  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Akerly  followed  and  then  the  singing  of  the  funeral  ode, 
written  for  the  occasion  by  Bro.  Sam  Booth,  of  Excelsior 
Lodge,  the  music  having  been  composed  by  Brother  Kin- 
ross. 

FUNERAL    ODE. 

Bowed  in  sorrow  here  we  come 
Round  about  our  Father's  tomb. 
To  bedew  his  lowly  bier 
With  the  tribute  of  a  tear. 

Never  more  his  cordial  grasp 
Will  return  our  loving  clasp. 
Never  more  in  speech  or  song 
Will  respond  his  tuneful  tongue. 

Pain  and  sorrow  all  are  past, 
Peacefully  he  rests  at  last; 
All  his  toil  and  labor  done, 
Gained  the  crown,  the  victory  won. 

Soon,  ah  soon,  we  too  shall  be 
In  the  grave  as  low  as  he. 
May  we  too  in  glory  rise 
To  the  bliss  beyond  the  skies. 


244  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Hon.  Wm.  H.  Jordan,  Supreme  Foreman,  eloe|uently  de- 
livered the  euLogy,  from  which  the  following  sentiments  are 
taken: — 

"  It  is  under  peculiar  circumstances  that  I  undertake  this 
duty,  for  besides  being  intimately  associated  with  the  de- 
ceased in  the  w^ork  of  the  Order,  he  was  also  a  warm,  per- 
sonal friend.  As  a  vessel  that  has  completed  a  storm-tossed 
voyage  is  brought  safely  into  the  peaceful  harbor  to  rest,  so 
Father  Upchurch  has  found  his  rest  in  the  harbor  above. 
All  that  is  mortal  of  him  has  been  given  unto  dust.  Pre- 
eminent among  his  virtues  was  his  love  for  humanity,  and 
as  of  Abou  Ben  Adhem  of  old  the  angels  of  light  above 
have  WTitten  that  he  loved  his  fellow-men.  The  story  of  his 
life  may  be  quickly  told.  He  was  born  May  26,  1820,  on  a 
farm  in  Franklin  County,  Virginia.  While  a  boy  he  learned 
mechanics,  and  when  twenty-one  was  married  and  went  to 
keeping  a  hotel  He  afterward  returned  to  his  trade,  and 
going  to  Philadelphia  became  master  mechanic  in  the  shops 
of  one  of  the  early  railroad  companies,  when  railroading 
was  yet  in  a  rather  primitive  stage.  During  a  strike  on 
the  road  there  v/ere  formed  in  his  mind  the  ideas  which 
years  afterward  resulted  in  the  successful  foundation  of  this 
society.  In  1864  the  League  of  Freedom,  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  resolved  to  give  up  its  charter  and  disband. 

He  seized  the  opportunity  to  express  the  ideas  which  had 
so  long  inspired  him  and  to  present  the  scheme  which  he 
believed  would  lead  to  a  great  organization  and  prove  a 
blessing  to  his  fellow-men.  There  and  then  was  formed  the 
first  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
The  little  society  w^as  nearly  disrupted  by  dissensions  at  the 
start,  but 

UPCHURCH    REMAINED    FIRM. 

And  from  the  thirteen  who  formed  that  first  organization 
the  present  vigorous  Order  has  grow^n.  The  founder's  idea 
w^as  at  first  to  form  a  society  in  which  would  unite  employer 
and  employed;  and  in  which  they  could  talk  over  their  re- 
lations and  differences  and  strive  for  the  elevation  of  labor. 
For  five  years  the  society  slumbered,  growing  but   slowly 


Oakland  Memorial  Service.  245 


and  being  disturbed  more  or  less  by  dissensions.  Father 
Upchurch  found  it  necessary  to  modify  his  plans  somewhat 
as  he  gained  experience.  He  found  that  he  could  not  bring 
employer  and  employed  together  in  the  manner  he  had 
planned,  and  he  turned  his  attention  to  making  it  a  blessing 
to  the  families  of  those  who  were  members,  engrafting  in 
the  plcTn  of  the  society  the  beneficiary  feature.  This  has 
since  proved  the  main  corner-stone  of  the  greatness  the 
society  has  since  achieved.  His  experience,  wisdom  and 
counsel  were  always  at  the  command  of  the  Order,  and  he 
was  always  ready  to  sacrifice  self  and  honors  for  the  good  of 
the  society.  On  the  i8th  of  January  a  telegram  reached 
this  city  announcing  his  death.  A  few  days  after,  in  the 
city  of  St.  Louis,  his  body  was  laid  away  in  the  cemetery  _  of 
Bellefontaine,  and  among  the  wealth  of  floral  tributes  which 
buried  and  surrounded  his  casket  none  were  as  beautiful 
and  magnificent  as  the  one  sent  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
California.  His  loss  is  mourned  to-day  by  one  hundred  and 
eighty  thousand  men  who  compose  this  Order,  and  by  two 
mtllion  families  whose  lives  have  been  brightened  by  the 
light  he  created.  We  shall  miss  him  for  years  to  come; 
we  shall  listen  for  the  kindly  tones  of  his  voice  and  hear 
them  not;  we  shall  look  for  the  simple  form  of  the  grand 
old  man  and  shall  feel  for  the  warm  clasp  of  his  kindly 
hand,  and  miss  them  both,  and  as  I  think  of  him  come  to 
my  mind  the  beautiful  words  of  the  poet: — 

Break,  break,   break, 

On  thy  cold  gray  stones,  O  sea! 
And  I  \yould  that  my  tongue  could  utter 

The  thoughts  that  arise  in  me. 

Oh  well  for  the  fisherman's  boy, 

That  he  shouts  with  his  sister  at  play! 

Oh  well  for  tlie  sailor  lad, 

That  he  sings  in  his  boat  on  the  bay. 

And  the  stately  ships  go  on 

To  their  haven  under  the  hill; 
But  oh  for  the  touch  of  a  vanished  hand, 

And  the  sound  of  a  voice  that  is  still! 


246  Life  of  Father  Upchurcft. 

Break,  break,  break, 

At  the  foot  of  thy  crags,  O  sea! 
But  the  tender  grace  of  a  day  that  is  dead 

Will  never  come  back  to  me. 

At  the  close  of  the  eulogy  the  choir  sang  the  beautiful 
anthem,  "Not  Dead,  but  Sleeping."  Grand  Master  Work- 
man Edwin  Danforth  followed  in  a  brief  but  eloquent  address, 
in  the  course  of  which  he  said: — 

"  Of  all  the  beautiful  floral  tributes  which  were  sent  on 
the  occasion  of  the  funeral  of  Father  Upchurch,  the  one 
from  California  was  selected  by  the  widow  to  take  with  her 
to  her  desolate  home.  Father  Upchurch,  like  many  others, 
did  not  reap  the  full  reward  of  his  labors  in  this  world  and 
his  widow  was  left  in  a  degree  destitute.  We  in  California 
are  expected  to  respond  liberally  at  some  future  time,  in 
aiding  in  the  erection  of  a  fitting  monument  to  the  deceased 
and  in  rendering  substantial  aid  to  the  widow." 

Past  Grand  Master  Workman  Wm.  H.  Barnes  was  then 
introduced.     He  commenced  with  the  beautiful  lines: — 

''There  is  a  reaper  whose  name  is  Death. 
And  with  his  sickle  keen. 
He  reaps  the  bearded  grain  at  a  breath, 
And  the  flowers  that  grow  between." 

"  To-day  we  are  in  grief.  Let  memory  go  back  and  think 
if  ever  in  the  history  of  the  world  such  a  tribute  has  been 
paid  to  any  citizen  as  that  which  is  being  paid  to  the  mem- 
ory of  John  J.  Upchurch  to-day.  The  world  delights  to 
honor  such  men.  As  the  changing  cycles  of  time  revolve, 
there  will  be  found  engraven  upon  the  eternal  tablets  of 
memory  the  name  of  John  J.  Upchurch.  You  can  raise 
monuments  of  bronze  to  the  memory  of  man,  but  Time, 
with  his  corroding  finger,  will  crumble  them.  If  you  write 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  people  you  write  upon  monuments 
which  shall  endure  until  earth  reels  in  the  wreck  of  matter, 
and  crumbles  into  dust.     Upchurch  has  written  an  epitaph 


Oakland  Memorial*  Service.  247 

for  himself  which  shall  never  fade  while  time  shall  last. 
Who  will  ever  think  of  Upchurch  as  dead  ?  Our  Legisla- 
ture did  one  of  the  most  grateful  and  graceful  acts  in  the 
history  of  the  State  upon  the  day  when,  hearing  that  John 
J.  Upchurch  was  dead,  and  recognizing  him  proudly  as  a 
man  who  loved  his  fellow-men,  they  passed  a  resolution  and 
adjourned  in  respect  to  his  memory.  \Vhen  Father  Up- 
church was  in  California  he  won  the  hearts  of  all,  and  in  a 
letter  after  his  return  he  said:  *'  When  you  go  to  see  the  boys, 
bear  to  them  my  good  wishes  and  good- will.  Everybody 
treats  me  so  well,  and  with  so  much  kindness,  but  there  is 
only  one  California  and  I  hope  to  spend  the  last  of  my 
days  there.''  We  all  know  how  reluctantly  he  left  us,  and 
we  have  been  planning  to  bring  him  here  to  end  his  days 
among  us.  But  our  desires  have  been  frustrated.  It  has 
pleased  the  Grand  Father  to  take  him  home.  We  bid  him 
farewell,  but  not  good-bye,  for  men  like  him  never  die.  He 
leaves  behind  him  that  fraternal  affection  which  will  survive 
all  time,  and  we  feel  almost  as  though   he  were  with  us  still. 

"  Only  gone  on,  only  gone  on  a  little  ahead  of  us,  and  we 
shall  all  soon  follow.  He  has  been  welcomed  at  the  great 
white  throne  and  even  now  is  looking  down  upon  us  with 
his  old  sweet  smile,  sweeter  than  when  he  was  with  us  here 
on  earth. 

"  Good-bye,  old  friend,  so  far  as  this  earth  is  concerned. 
Good-bye,  genial,  old  man;  good-bye,  father  of  our  Order. 
One  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  men  remain  behind  you 
pledged  to  the  work  you  left  behind,  and  we  will  work  and 
toil,  following  in  your  footsteps  until  there  shall  be  no  more 
sorrow  and  no  more  want  to  relieve,  no  broken  hearts  to 
bind  up,  no  tears  to  dry;  living  in  the  beautiful  creed  of  our 
Order  and  practicing  to  the  best  of  our  ability  its  precepts 
of  Charity,  Hope,  and  Protection." 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Barnes's  address  the  choir  sang  the 
beautiful  song,  "Rest,  Spirit,  Rest;"  the  services  commem- 
orative of  one  of  the  noblest  of  God's  creatures  came  to  a 
close  and  the  vast  audience  quietly  dispersed. 


248  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

SAN   Francisco's   tribute. 

According  to  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Committee 
on  Memorial  in  San  Francisco,  the  Grand  Officers  and 
those  invited  to  participate  in  the  services,  met  in  the  office 
of  the  Grand  Recorder  at  half  past  one  o'clock  Sunday 
afternoon,  February  13.  From  thence  they  were  escorted 
to  the  Grand  Opera  House  by  six  legions  of  Select  Knights 
under  the  command  of  W.  H  Graves,  of  Oakland  Legion, 
No.  3,  who  acted  in  place  of  Grand  Commander  S.  M. 
Shortridge,  who  was  sick,  Past  Grand  Commander  E.  M. 
Reading  being  Commander  of  the  day.  Arriving  at  the 
theater,  the  Grand  Officers  and  their  escort  filed  upon  the 
stage. 

The  spacious  auditorium  and  boxes  were  filled  by  Work- 
men, their  wives  and  families,  of  the  various  Lodges  of  the 
city  and  neighboring  towns;  and  the  servicej  opened  by  the 
orchestra  playing  "  Nearer  my  God  to  Thee."  Past  Grand 
Master  Workman  William  H.  Barnes,  in  his  capacity  of 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  conducted 
the  services  and  introduced  Grand  Master  Workman  Ed- 
win Danforth,  who  spoke  as  follows: — 

"  Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  and  Fel- 
low-Workmen: Death  is  always  an  unwelcome  visitor  in 
our  homes.  During  the  past  year  he  has  entered  ten  thou- 
sand homes  within  the  national  jurisdiction  of  this  Order. 
One  who  was  beloved  by  all  of  us  now  lies  in  the  city  of  the 
silent  dead  on  the  other  side  of  the  continent;  and  we  are 
here  to  pay  respect  to  his  memory  His  death  has  brought 
sorrow  to  the  hearts  of  Workmen,  but  we  know  that  he  has 
gone  to  his  rest.  When  the  news  of  his  death  was  flashed 
across  the  country,  some  Lodges  favored  the  erection  of  a 
monument  to  his  memory,  others  thought  that  such  action 
should  be  taken  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  others  were 
inclined  to  leave  this  matter  of  respect  to  be  provided  for 


San  Francisco's  Tribute.  249 

by  the  National  Order.  But  whatever  may  be  done  in  this 
direction,  it  is  for  us  to  remember  that  in  death  he  still 
speaks  to  us  and  admonishes  us  to  do  our  full  duty  as  Work- 
men, and  to  follow  the  noble  example  that  he  has  given  us." 

Dr.  M.  S.  Levy,  in  a  most  earnest  and  eloquent  prayer, 
ihvoked  the  Divine  blessing.  The  choir  of  Calvary  Church 
then  sang  with  exquisite  taste  and  feeling  the  ode  written  by 
Sam  Booth  to  music  composed  for  it  by  Prof.  Gustav  A. 
Scott.  Bro.  J'.  N.  Young,  of  Sacramento,  was  then  intro- 
duced and  pronounced  the  eulogy  as  follows: — 

"Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Brethren: — 

"  '  To  live  in  hearts  we  leave  behind,  is  not  to  die.' 

"John  J.  Upchurch  was  born  March  26,  1820.  The 
early  part  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  acquiring  an  education 
and  a  knowledge  of  mechanical  arts. 

"At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  married  the  companion  of 
his  life,  to  whom  he  was  fondly  devoted. 

"  A  short  time  thereafter  we  find  him  a  skilled  mechanic 
in  the  railroad  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railro-id  Com- 
pany, appreciated  and  highly  respected  by  his  employers 
and  fellow-workmen. 

"  From  there  he  went  to  take  charge  of  the  mechanical 
department  of  the  Schuylkill  Railroad  Company,  where  he 
also  distinguished  himself  by  his  skill  and  abiHty  in  his  em- 
ployment, by  his  considerate  treatment  of  his  fellow-laborers, 
and  by  his  marked  fidelity  to  his  employers. 

"When  at  the  beginning  of  the  late  war  the  employes  of 
the  Schuylkill  company  struck  and  were  obstructing  the 
governmental  use  of  the  road,  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment ordered  J.  J.  Upchurch  to  take  charge  of  the  road  and 
to  conduct  its  affairs.  Under  his  administration  the  men 
almost  immediately  returned  to  their  employment,  and 
heartily  seconded  his  every  known  effort. 

"From  there  he  went,  in  1868,  to  take  charge  of  the 
railroad  shops  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania.    . 

"  For  years  he  had  been  painfully  impressed  with  the 


250  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

idea  that  employers  were  not  sufficiently  interested  in  the 
wants  and  welfare  of  laboring  men.  He  now  determined  to 
devise  some  plan  to  bring  employer  and  employe  into 
closer  and  more  friendly  relations  with  each  other. 

"  He  accordingly  acquainted  the  men  under  him  with  his 
wishes  and  plans  in  that  direction.  As  a  result  of  their 
conference,  on  the  27th  day  of  October,  1868,  the  first 
Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  was  formed. 
Its  membership  consisted  of  thirteen  ijjen,  many  of  whom 
had  but  the  crudest  notion  and  the  slightest  appreciation  of 
the  objects  and  aims  in  view. 

"  It  was  an  experiment  at  best.  To  bring  about  the  de- 
sired mutuality  between  labor  and  capital  from  opposite 
poles  of  interest  was  as  physically  impossible  then  as  it  is 
now.  Upon  this  rock  many  of  the  leading  statesmen  of  the 
most  civilized  nations  of  the  world  have  wrecked  their 
fondest  theories.  It  remained  for  the  subsequently  adopted 
beneficiary  feature  of  our  Order  to  demonstrate  to  the 
world  that  this  much-to-be-desired  object  may  be  attained 
by  mutual  co-operation.  And  to-day,  the  most  advanced 
minds  of  political  economists  are  fast  coming  to  the  con- 
clusion that  in  the  mutual  interest  arising  from  co-operation 
lies  the  solution  of  the  difficult  problems  which  to-day 
agitate  the  political  and  commercial  world. 

"  Five  years  of  experience  and  close  observation  fully 
convinced  the  founder  of  our  Order  of  the  failure  of  his 
then  first  purpose.  These  w^ere  five  years  of  great  mental 
anxiety.  Dissensions  among  men  who  had  not  yet  learned 
the  value  of  mutual  concessions  and  fraternal  relations 
greatly  retarded  the  growth  of  the  Order,  circumscribed  its 
influence  and  at  times  even  threatened  to  disrupt  the  organi- 
zation. 

"  With  ever  changing  fortunes,  but  never  disheartened, 
our  brother  tenaciously  clung  to  his  purpose  of  permanently 
establishing  our  Order,  which  he  knezu^  even  if  he  could  not 
unite  the  desired  classes,  would,  in  time,  become  one  of  the 
greatest  blessings  to  mankind. 

"  His  large  heart  and  generous  impulses  did  not,  how- 
ever, stop  at  the  Lodge  room,  nor  end  with  the  members  of 


San  Francisco's  Tribute.  251 

the  Order.  When  he  saw  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
deceased  brothers,  deprived  of  their  stay  and  support,  in 
their  sadness  struggHng  with  poverty  and  want,  he  deter- 
mined that  they  too  should  be  cared  for.  For  this  purpose 
he  devised  the  beneficiary  feature  of  the  Order  by  which, 
upon  the  death  of  a  brother,  his  family,  or  those  dependent 
upon  him,  should  immediately  receive,  without  abatement 
or  expense,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  free  from  all 
claims  against  the  estate  of  the  decedent. 

"In  this  feature  of  our  beloved  Order,  the 'soft- winged 
angel  of  mercy  came  to  suffering  and  sorrowing  humanity 
with  words  and  works  of  comfort  and  cheer,  which  com- 
mand the  richest  blessings  of  Heaven,  and  go  up  as  sweet 
incense  before  Almighty  God.  Verily,  when  the  good  deeds 
done  upon  earth  shall  come  to  be  gathered  into  the  grana- 
ries of  the  saints,  that  of  Father  Upchurch,  however  great 
its  dimensions,  will  be  filled  to  overflowing. 

"  From  that  little  Spartan  band  of  thirteen,  who  less  than 
twenty  years  ago  met  in  their  crude  hall  with  their  yet 
cruder  notions,  this,  our  Order,  has  so  grown  in  influence, 
wealth,  and  power,  that  to-day,  like  the  mighty  banyan  tree, 
whose  wide-spreading  branches  sending  down  their  numer-"" 
ous  supports  form  a  natural  shield  and  protection  for  the 
flocks  and  herds  which  congregate  beneath  its  ample  um- 
brage, its  supporting  Lodges  are  planted  all  over  this  fair 
land,  and  beneath  its  protecting  yEgis  it  numbers  not  less 
than  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  active  members,  while 
it  extends  its  Heaven-born  talisman  of  Charity,  Hope,  and 
Protection  over  more  than  a  million  of  beneficiaries  to  whom 
it  now  annually  dispenses  more  than  three  million  dollars, 
exclusive  of  charities  and  fraternal  amenities. 

"  And  to-day,  all  over  this  land,  wherever  a  weary  and 
worn  Workman  looks  for  the  last  time  upon  his  sorrowing 
wife  and  soon  to  be  bereaved  family,  conscious  that  he, 
their  stay  and  support,  is  bidding  them  a  last  farewell,  realizing 
that  the  brethren  of  his  Lodge  wull  shield  and  protect  his 
widow  and  orphans,  and  that  that  policy  lying  there  in  full 
view  will  provide  for  their  present  wants  and  necessities, 
{ind  enable  them  to  cling  together  at  least  during  the  sad, 


252  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

yes  saddest  period  of  a  family's  existence,  satisfied  he  rests 
his  aching  head  and  fevered  brow  upon  that  pillow  of  death, 
and  from  the  depths  of  a  heart  overflowing  with  gratitude, 
thanks  Heaven  for  giving  to  the  world  a  J.  J.  Upchurch, 
and  through  him  to  us  so  beneficent  an  Order. 

"On  the  i8th  day  of  January,  1887,  the  electric  spark 
with  lightning  speed  conveyed  the  sad  intelligence  all  over 
the  continent  that  "  J.  J.  Upchurch  is  dead." 

'  ** '  God's  finger  touched  him  and  he  slept.' 

'*  *  A  sleep  that  no  pain  shall  wake, 
Night  that  no  moon  shall  break, 
*  Till  joy  shall  overtake 

His  perfect  calm.' 

"  Such  in  brief,  are  the  principal  events  connected  with 
the  life  of  that  great  and  good  man. 

"  When  we  turn  to  the  pages  of  mythology,  or  history,  sacred 
or  profane,  we  find  stamped  upon  almost  every  page  the 
unmistakable  Ishmaelitish  character  of  the  human  race, 
"His  hand  against  every  man,  and  every  man's  hand  against 
him."  Whether  we  reflect  upon  the  fratricidal  conduct  of 
Cain;  the  age  of  great  men  of  valor  and  mighty  men  of  w^ar; 
the  Trojan,  Palestinian  and  Athenian  epochs;  the  Babylon- 
ian, Median  and  Assyrian  strifes;  the  Persian,  Grecian, 
Roman  or  Carthaginian  high-handed  and  reckless  decima- 
tion of  human  life,  or  the  Macedonian  rivers  of  blood;  the 
sanguinary  contests  of  the  Cassars;  the  slain  millions  of  the 
Crusades  or  more  reprehensible  butcheries  of  the  Roses; 
the  clash  of  arms  or  the  roar  of  cannon  at  a  Cressy,  Poictiers 
or  Waterloo,  or  the  more  speedy  devastation  of  more 
modern  warfare,  all — all  proclaim  in  unmistakable  terms  the 
brutal  antagonisms  of  man  unrestrained. 

"  But  to-day  I  behold,  as  in  a  vision,  emerging  from  this 
murky  cloud  of  devastation  and  ruin,  a  mighty  army  clothed 
in  the  habiliments  of  peace,  upon  their  banners,  emblazoned 
in  characters  of  living  light,  that  divine  precept  of  justice : 
'  As  ye  would  that  others  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so 
unto  them,'  in  their  practice  encouraging  inJustry,  stimu- 
lating mental  and  moral  culture,  promoting  philanthropy. 


San  Francisco's  Tribute.  253 

rendering  mutual  aid  and  assistance  to  each  otlier,  and 
guarding  their  families  from  suffering  by  want.  I  see  their 
numbers  increasing  until  by  thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands they  spread  out  over  all  the  land.  All  nations, 
tongues,  and  kindreds  feel  the  benefit  of  their  influence  and 
power.  An  aromatic  halo  lights  up  the  horizon  of  their 
progress  and  sends  forth  a  sweet  incense  both  healing  to 
man  and  pleasing  to  God. 

"  As  this  mighty  army  of  peace,  exerting  its  beneficent 
influences,  passes  by  into  future  ages  and  generations,  need 
I  ask  you  whether  he  who  has  borne  so  important  a  part  in 
bringing  about  these  salutary  results  ought  to  be  written 
down  in  the  history  of  the  human  race  as  a  great  and  a 
good  man? 

"  He  was  unconsciously  great.  His  frank,  open  expres- 
sion of  countenance,  and  modest,  unassuming  demeanor, 
especially  under  embarrassing  circumstances,  were  calcu- 
lated to  leave  tlie  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  casual 
observer  of  child-like  simplicity  bordering  upon  mental  in- 
efficiency. Such,  however,  was  not  the  true  status  of  the 
man. 

"  It  was  only  when  he  was  free  from  the  gaze  of  admiring 
brothers  seeking  to  do  him  honor,  or  other  distracting  sur- 
roundings, that  his  true  depth  of  soul,  his  broad  and  com- 
prehensive scope  of  mind,  were  permitted  to  do  justice  to 
his  solid  judgment,  his  generous  nature,  and  his  fine  execu- 
tive ability. 

"  One  thing  which  especially  impressed  itself  upon  my 
mind  was  the  tenacity  with  which  he  clung  to  whatever  lie 
believed  to  be  right.  Living  to  see  the  full  fruition  of  his 
labors,  life  to  him  was  one  continuous  stream  of  joy.  For 
him  to  live  was  happiness ;  to  die  was  gain.  How  fittingly 
may  it  be  said  of  such  a  man: — 

"  '  An  old  age  serene  and  bright. 
And  lovely  as  a  Lapland  night, 
Shall  lead  thee  to  thy  grave.' 

"  Contrast  with  his,  the  life  of  a  man  whose  objects  and 
aims  a^l  terminate  in  self,  and  who,  becoming  surfeited  with 
the  pleasures  of  this  world,  looks  upon  death  as  an  escape 


254  Life  of  Father  QpcHURCit. 

from  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit,  or  as  Hamlet  more  aptly 
puts  it: — 

"'To  die, — to  sleep, — no  more;  and,  by  a  sleep,  to  say  we 
end  the  heart-ache,  and  the  thousand  natural  shocks 

'* '  That  flesh  is  heir  to,   'tis  a  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wish'd.' 

"  In  1885,  as  our  guest  we  welcomed  him.  He  reluc- 
tantly took  his  departure  from  us.  Thereafter  his  heart 
never  ceased  to  yearn  for  California.  But  his  journeyings 
on  earth  are  past.     His  labors  of  love  are  ended. 

*'  *  His  soul  is  landed  on  that  silent  shore 

Where  billows  never  break  nor  tempests  roar.'  " 

The  choir  then  sang,  "  Beyond  the  smiling  and  the  weep- 
ing," with  fine  effect,  and  "  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth," 
after  which  Brother  Barnes  read  the  poem  written  for  the 
occasion  by  Bro.  Samuel  Booth: — 

With  head  bowed  low  and  solemn  step  and  slow, 
And  heart  subdued  beneath  its  weight  of  woe. 
Like  orphaned  children  to  their  father's  bier, 
We  come  to  pay  the  tribute  of  a  tear. 

Low  lies  the  head  which  was  so  wise  to  plan 
Relief  and  comfort  for  his  brother  man. 
And  pulseless  now  the  good,  great  heart,  and  still, 
That  beat  for  others'  good  and  thought  no  ill; 
Closed  now  the  kindly  eyes  whose  cheerful  smile 
Indexed  a  spirit  that  was  free  from  guile. 
Still,  too,  the  cunning  hand,  which  deftly  wrought 
The  generous  impulse  of  his  kindly  thought — 
A  heart  so  big  that  it  could  comprehend 
Mankind  as  brothers  and  each  one  his  friend — 
The  hand  whose  honest  grasp  we'll  ne'er  forget, 
For  in  our  own  it  seems  to  linger  yet. 

Not  like  a  warrior  borne  upon  his  shield 
From  slaughtered  foes  on  bloody  battle-field, 
With  all  his  shining  trophies  on  his  breast, 
Was  he  consigned  unto  his  final  rest. 
With  roar  of  gun  and  roll  of  muffled  drum 
And  martial  dirges  sounding  o'er  his  tomb. 


San  Francisco's  Tribute.  255 

Not  like  a  statesman  to  his  rest  he  passed, 
Whose  words  roused  nations  like  a  trumpet  blast, 
And  o'er  whose  dust  resounds  the  grand  Te  Deum 
Along  the  vault  of  mighty  mausoleum. 

But  though  his  birth  was  humble  and  obscure, 
And  though  his  life  was  spent  among  the  poor. 
And  though  no  king-at-arms  proclaimed  his  fame, 
Nor  wealth  nor  titles  dignified  his  name, 
And  though  no  kindly  hands  upon  him  laid 
With  knightly  sword,  the  knightly  Acolade, 
Grander  than  all  the  names  by  kings  conveyed 
Was  the  good  name  which  for  himself  he  made; 
And  no  distinction  doth  transcend,  nor  can. 
The  simple  grandeur  of  an  Honest  Man. 

Though  knowledge  to  his  longing  was  denied, 
And  his  book  learning  not  profound  nor  wide, 
His  battle  with  the  world,  its  wrongs  and  strife, 
Made  him  acquainted  with  the  Book  of  Life. 
He  saw  the  follies  of  mankind  with  pain, 
And  strove  to  lift  them  to  a  higher  plane. 
He  saw  them  suffering,  and  their  own  worst  foes, 
And  pity  swelled  his  great  heart  for  their  woes. 
He  saw  how,  front  to  front,  in  hate  they  stood, 
And  strove  to  weld  them  all  in  brotherhood. 
"Each  for  himself,"  he  saw  the  world  did  teach  ; 
He  taught  them  "  Each  for  all,  and  all  for  each." 
Though  little  skilled  in  creeds  and  'ologies. 
His  heart  brimmed  o'er  with  kindliest  sympathies, 
Though  knowing  naught  of  churchly  discipline, 
His  clean  soul  shrank  instinctively  from  sin; 
And  though  unorthodox,  he  spent  his  days 
Modestly  walking  in  the  Master's  ways. 
Like  a  ripe  sheaf  of  corn  the  reapers  come. 
He  passed  in  triumph  to  the  Harvest  Home. 
As  a  good  workman  lays  his  tools  aside, 
His  work  well  done,  good  Father  Upchurch  died. 

And  so,  with  solemn  chant  and  funeral  bells, 
We  strew  his  grave  with  blooming  immortelles, 


256  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

In  token  that  his  life,  though  ended  here 
Is  still  continued  in  a  holier  sphere, 
Thanking  the  great  All  Father  that  he  gave, 
To  be  our  guide,  a  friend  so  true  and  brave. 
Though  in  the  body  dead,  may  he  still  be 
In  all  our  souls  a  living  memory, 
To^animate  in  every  heart  and  mind 
A  larger  love  for  all  of  human  kind. 
And  may  the  precious  seed,  which  he  did  sow 
With  so  much  pain  and  loving  labor,  grow, 
As  years  roll  on,  to  such  proportions  vast 
That  all  mankind  shall  brothers  be  at  last. 

Doctor  Levy  then  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  thus 
concluded  the  last  sad  rites  sacred  to  the  memory  of  him 
beneath  whose  name 

The  recording  angel's  pen  could  trace, 
"  He  was  the  benefactor  of  the  race." 


ADDENDUM. 


It  has  been  deemed  advisable  to  compile  as  an  appropri- 
ate addendum  to  this  book,  a  list  of  the  officers  elected  at 
each  annual  session  of  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen  since  its  organization;  a  list  of 
the  various  Grand  Lodges  in  the  order  of  their  institution, 
together  with  a  page  of  important  incidents  in  the  history 
of  the  Order,  the  whole  forming  a  tabulated  epitome  of 
such  information  as  would  be  useful  for  reference  to  mem- 
bers of  the  Order. 

SUPREME    LODGE    MEETINGS. 

First  Supreme  Lodge  met  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  February 
II,  1873.  Three  Grand  Lodges,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and 
Kentucky,  represented  by  fifteen  delegates.  Officers  elected: 
Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  W.  H.  Comstock,  of  Penn- 
sylvania; Supreme  Master  Workman,  W.  W.  Walker,  of 
Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Foreman,  John  I.  Becktol,  of  Ohio; 
Supreme  Overseer,  R.  D.  Handy,  of  Kentucky;  Supreme 
Guide,  J.  W.  H.  Searles,  of  Kentucky ;  Supreme  Recorder, 
J.  B.  Steeves,  of  Kentucky;  Supreme  Receiver,  Louis 
Koester,  of  Ohio;  Supreme  Watchman,  J.  Mi  McNair, 
of  Pennsylvania.     Total  membership  about  eight  hundred. 

Second  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  10,  1874.  Six  Grand  Lodges  represented: 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa  and  New 
York.  Officers  elected:  Supreme  Master  Workman,  R.  D. 
Handy,  of  Kentucky ;  Supreme  Foreman,  G.  F.  Cookerly, 
of  Indiana:  Supreme  Overseer,  W.  S.  Black,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania; Supreme  Guide,  H.  N.  Berry,  of  Iowa;  Supreme 
Recorder,  Wm.  Martindale,  of  Indiana;  Supreme  Receiver, 

17  (257) 


258  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

L.  C.  Squires,  of  New  York;  Supreme  Watchman,  S.  B.  Low- 
enstein,  of  Ohio ;  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  W.  W. 
Walker,  of  Pennsylvania.  Total  membership  about  two 
thousand. 

Third  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Indianapolis,  March  i6,  1875.  Six  Grand  Lodges  repre- 
sented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa,  and 
New  York.  Officers  elected:  Supreme  Master  Workman, 
J.  M.  McNair,  of  Pennsylvania ;  Supreme  Foreman,  S.  F. 
Griffey,  Indiana;  Supreme  Overseer,  S.  B.  Lowenstein, 
Ohio ;  Supreme  Guide,  Edwin  Elmore,  New  York ;  Su  • 
preme  Watchman,  L.  Koester,  Ohio ;  Supreme  Recorder, 
J.  B.  Steeves,  Kentucky ;  Supreme  Receiver,  Ben.  Davis, 
Indiana;  Supreme  Trustee,  C.  Shryock,  Kentucky;  Past 
Supreme  Master  Workmen,  R.  D.  Handy,  Kentucky. 

Fourth  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Covington,  Kentucky,  March  24,  1876.  Six  Grand  Lodges 
represented,  Pennsylvania:  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Iowa,  New  York, 
and  Illinois.  Officers  elected  :  Supreme  Master  Workman, 
C.  Shryock,  Kentucky;  Supreme  Foreman,  O.  J.  Noble, 
Iowa;  Supreme  Overseer,  Thos.  Curry,  Ohio ;  Supreme 
Recorder,  Edwin  Elmore,  New  York;  Supreme  Receiver, 
B.  Davis,  Indiana  ;  Supreme  Guide,  O.  P.  Titcomb,  Illinois, 
Supreme  Watchman,  A.  J.  Francis,  Kentucky ;  Supreme 
Trustees,  D.  L.  Stephenson,  Iowa,  and  A.  R.  Link,  Indiana; 
Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  J.  M.  McNair,  Pennsylva- 
nia. 

Fifth  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Chicago,  Illinois,  March  20,  1877.  Ten  Grand  Lodges 
represented :  Iowa,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentucky,  Minnesota, 
Missouri,  New  York,  Ohio,  Tennessee,  and  Wisconsin. 
Officers  elected :  Supreme  Master  Workman,  Samuel  B. 
Myers,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Foreman,  Thos.  H.  Curry, 
Ohio ;  Supreme  Overseer,  Chas.  O.  Thomas,  Tennessee; 
Supreme  Recorder,  Henry  N.  Berry,  Iowa;  Supreme  Re- 
ceiver, S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio;  Supreme  Guide,  O.  P.  Titcomb, 
Illinois;  Supreme  Watchman,  A.  J.  Francis,  Kentucky; 
Supreme  Trustees,  A.  R.  Link,  Indiana,  D.  L.  Stephenson, 


Supreme  Lodge  Meetings.  259 

Iowa,    and   Ben.    Davis,  Indiana;    Past   Supreme    Master 
Workman,  C  Shryock,  Kentucky. 

Sixth  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  March  19,  1878.  Thirteen  Grand  Lodges 
represented :  New  York,  Michigan,  Iowa,  Indiana,  Minne- 
sota, CaUfornia,  lUinois,  Ohio,  Wisconsin,  Pennsylvania, 
Missouri,  Kentucky,  Tennessee.  Officers  elected :  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania ;  Supreme 
Foreman,  Leroy  Andrus,  New  York;  Supreme  Overseer, 
Wm.  C.  Richardson,  Missouri;  Supreme  Recorder,  PIcnry 
N.  Berry,  Iowa;  Supreme  Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio; 
Supreme  Guide,  O.  P.  Titcomb,  Illinois;  Supreme  Watch- 
man, H.  C.  Heath,  Wisconsin;  Supreme  Trustees,  D.  L. 
Stephenson,  Iowa;  Benj.  Davis,  Indiana,  and  Monroe 
Sheire,  ]\Iinnesota;  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  Samuel 
B.  Myers,  Pennsylvania. 

Seventh  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  March  18,  1879.  Eighteen  Grand 
Lodges  represented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  In- 
diana, Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wis- 
consin, Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas, 
Ontario,  Massachusetts,  and  Oregon.  Officers  elected  :  M. 
W.  Sackett,  Past  Suj^reme  Master  Workman;  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  John  Frizzell,  of  Tennessee;  Supreme 
Foreman,  Roderick  Rose,  of  Iowa;  Supreme  Overseer,  M. 
W.  Fish,  of  California;  Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett, 
of  Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis,  of  Ohio; 
Supreme  Guide,  PI.  C.  Heath,  of  Wisconsin;  Supreme 
Watchman,  E.  W.  Boynton,  of  Illinois;  Supreme  Trustees, 
Benjamin  Davis,  of  Indiana,  Monroe  Sheire,  of  Minnesota, 
and  Leroy  Andrus,  of  New  York.  Total  membership  sixty- 
two  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-three. 

Eighth  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  March  16,  1880.  Twenty-one 
Grand  Lodges  represented:  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky, 
Indiana,  Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota, 
Wisconsin,  Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia, 
Kansas,  Ontario,  Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas, 


260  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

and  Nevada.  Officers  elected:  Past  Supreme  Master 
Workman,  John  Frizzell;  Supreme  Master  Workman, 
Roderick  Rose,  Iowa;  Supreme  Foreman,  M.  W.  Fish, 
California;  Supreme  Overseer,  Theo.  A.  Case,  New  York; 
Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme 
Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio;  Supreme  Guide,  Hugh 
Doherty,  Massachusetts;  Supreme  Watchman,  R.  H.  Flan- 
ders, Georgia;  Suprem.e  Trustees,  Monroe  Sheire,  Min- 
nesota; Leroy  Andrus,  New  York,  and  Alex.  McLean,  Illi- 
nois. Total  membership,  March  i,  1880,  seventy-eight 
thousand  four  hundred  and  fourteen. 

"KiNTH  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Detroit,  Michigan,  June  7,  1881.  Twenty-one  Grand 
Lodges  represented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indi- 
ana, Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wis- 
consin, Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas, 
Ontario,  Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas,  and 
Nevada.  Officers  elected  :  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman, 
Roderick  Rose;  Supreme  Master  W^orkman,  Wm.  H.  Bax- 
ter, Michigan;  Supreme  Foreman,  M.  W.  Fish,  California; 
Supreme  Overseer,  Theo.  Case,  New  York;  Supreme  Re- 
corder, M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Receiver, 
S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio;  Supreme  Guide,  R.  H.  Flanders,  Geor- 
gia; Supreme  Watchman,  R.  M.  M.  Patton,  Ontario;  Su- 
preme Trustees,  Leroy  Andrus,  New  York ;  Alex.  McLean, 
Illinois,  and  John  D.  Vincil,  Missouri.  Total  membership 
of  the  Order,  March  i,  1881,  ninety-four  thousand  tw^o 
and  twenty-two. 

Tenth  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  June  6,  1882.  Twenty  Grand  Lodges 
represented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  New 
York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  Tennessee, 
Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas,  Ontario,  Oregon, 
]\Iassachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas,  and  Nevada.  Officers 
elected :  Past  Supreme  Master  Workman,  J.  J.  Upchurch ; 
Supreme  Master  Workman,  Wm.  H.  Baxter,  Michigan; 
Supreme  Foreman,  M.  W.  Fish,  California;  Supreme  Over- 
seer, Theo.   A.   Case,  New  York;  Supreme  Recorder,  M, 


Supreme  Lodge  Meetings.  261 


W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania ;  Supreme  Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis, 
Ohio ;  Supreme  Guide,  R.  H.  Flanders,  Georgia ;  Supreme 
Watchman,  R.  M.  Patton,  Ontario;  Supreme  Medical  Ex- 
aminer, Wm.  C.  Richardson,  Missouri ;  Supreme  Trustees, 
Alex.  McLean,  lUinios ;  John  D.  Vincil,  Missouri ;  Leroy 
Andrus,  New  York.  Total  membership  of  the  Order,  one 
hundred  and  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-five. 

Eleventh  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Buffalo,  New  York,  June  5,  1883.  Twenty-two  Grand 
Lodges  represented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indi- 
ana, Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wis- 
consin, Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas, 
Ontario,  Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas,  Nevada, 
and  Colorado.  Officers  elected:  Past  Supreme  Master 
Workman,  Wm.  H.  Baxter;  Supreme  IMaster  Workman, 
M.  W.  Fish,  California ;  Supreme  Foreman,  M.  E.  Beebe, 
New  York;  Supreme  Overseer,  Wm.  G.  T^Iorris,  Illinois ; 
Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme 
Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio ;  Supreme  Guide,  T.  H.  Press- 
nell,  Minnesota;  Supreme  Watchman,  Wm.  R.  Graham, 
Iowa;  Supreme  Medical  Examiner,  Wm.  C.  Richardson, 
Missouri;  Supreme  Trustees,  John  D.  Vincil,  Missouri; 
Leroy  Andrus,  New  York,  and  Samuel  Eccles,  Jr.,  Mary- 
land. Total  membership  of  the  Order,  one  hundred  and 
eleven  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy-eight. 

Twelfth  Annual  Session  Supreme  Lodge  met  at 
Toronto,  Ontario,  June  3,  1884.  Twenty-two  Grand 
Lodges  represented :  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indi- 
ana, Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wis- 
consin, Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas, 
Ontario,  Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas,  Nevada, 
and  Colorado.  Officers  elected  :  Past  Supreme  Master 
Workman,  M.  W.  Fish;  Supreme  Master  Workman,  Leroy 
Andrus,  New  York;  Supreme  Foreman,  Wm.  G.  Morris, 
Illinois;  Supreme  Overseer,  Geo.  W.  Badgerow,  Ontario; 
Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme 
Receiver,  S.  S.  Davis,  Ohio ;  Supreme  Guide,  G.  R.  Keller, 
Kentucky;  Supreme  Watchman,   Wm.  R.Graham,  Iowa; 


262  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 

Supreme  Medical  Examiner,  Wra.  C.  Richardson,  Missouri ; 
Supreme  Trustees,  S.  B.  Berry,  Ohio,  Samuel  Eccles,  Jr., 
Maryland,  and  John  D.  Vincil,. Missouri.  Total  member- 
ship in  the  Order,  March  i,  1884,  one  hundred  and  thirty 
thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty-two. 

Thirteenth  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met 
at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  June  2,  1885.  Twenty-two  Grand 
Lodges  represented:  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  In- 
diana, Iowa,  New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota, 
Wisconsin,  Tennessee,  Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kan- 
sas, Ontario,  Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas, 
Nevada,  and  Colorado.  Officers  elected:  Past  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  Leroy  Andrus,  New  York;  Supreme 
Master  Workman,  John  A.  Brooks,  Missouri;  Supreme 
Foreman,  Geo.  W.  Badgerow,  Ontario;  Supreme  Overseer, 
Wm.  H.  Jordan,  Cal.;  Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett, 
Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Receiver,  J.  H.  Lenhart,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Supreme  Guard,  Geo.  R.  Keller,  Kentucky;  Supreme 
Watchman,  Wm.  R.  Graham,  Iowa;  Supreme  Medical  Ex- 
aminer, Hugh  Doherty,  Massachusetts;  Supreme  Trustees, 
Sam  Eccies,  Jr.,  Maryland;  John  D.  Vincil,  Missouri,  and 
S.  B.  Berry,  Kansas.  Total  membership  in  the  Order 
December  31,  1884,  one  hundred  and  forty-two  thousand 
one  hundred  and  twenty-two. 

Fourteenth  Annual  Session  of  Supreme  Lodge  met 
at  Minneapolis,  June  15,  1886.  Twenty-two  Grand  Lodges 
represented:  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa, 
New  York,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  Ten- 
nessee, Michigan,  California,  Georgia,  Kansas,  Ontario, 
Oregon,  Massachusetts,  Maryland,  Texas,  Nevada,  and 
Colorado.  Officers  elected:  Past  Supreme  Master  Work- 
man, John  A.  Brooks;  Supreme  Master  Workman,  Geo.  W. 
Badgerow,  Ontario;  Supreme  Foreman,  Wm.  H.  Jordan, 
California;  Supreme  Overseer,  C.  M.  Masters,  Wisconsin; 
Supreme  Recorder,  M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme 
Receiver,  J.  H.  Lenhart,  Pennsylvania;  Supreme  Guide, 
W.  R.  Graham,  Iowa;  Supreme  Watchman,  John  A.  Child, 
Oregon;  Supreme  Medical  Examiner,  Hugh  Doherty,  Mas- 


Organization  of  Grand  Lodges.  263 

sachusetts;  Supreme  Trustees,  John  D.  Vincil,  Missouri;  S. 
B.  Berry,  Kansas;  H.  B.  Loomis,  New  York.  Total  mem- 
bership of  the  Order  May  i,  1886,  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  GRAND  LODGES. 

The  following  are  the  dates  of  the  organization  of  the 
different  Grand  Lodges:  Pennsylvania,  July  14,  1869;  Ohio, 
August  31,  1872;  Kentucky,  January  7,  1873;  Indiana, 
August  5,  1873;  Iowa,  November  27,  1873;  New  York, 
January  27,  1874;  Illinois,  June  28,  1875;  Missouri,  April 
25,  1876;  Minnesota,  January,  24,  1S77;  Wisconsin,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1877;  Tennessee,  February  22,  1877;  Michigan, 
February  27,  1877;  CaUfornia,  November  13, 1877;  Georgia, 
July  16,  1878;  Kansas,  February  5, 1879;  Ontario,  February 
18,  1879;  Oregon  and  Washington,  March  4,  1879;  Mas- 
sachusetts, March  25,  1879;  Maryland,  New  Jersey,  and 
Delaware,  January  19,  1880;  Texas,  January  23,  1880; 
Nevada,  May  19,  1881;  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  and  Ari- 
zona, October  10,  1882,  Nebraska,  June  8,  1886. 

PAST  SUPREME  MASTER  WORKMEN. 

1873 — J.  J.  Upchurch,  Pennsylvania  (founder  of  the 
Order),  by  vote  of  Supreme  Lodge.  Post-office  address, 
Steelville,  Missouri. 

1873 — W.  H.  Comstock,  Pennsylvania,  elected  first  ses- 
sion Supreme  Lodge.  Post-office  address,  North  East, 
Pennsylvania. 

1886 — William  G.  Morris,  Illinois,  elected  by  vote  of 
Supreme  Lodge.  Post-office  address,  835  West  Lake  Street, 
Chicago. 

1873 — W.  W.  Walker,  Pennsylvania;  post-office  address, 
Chicago,  Illinois. 

1874 — R.  D.  Handy,  Kentucky;  post-office  address,  Cov- 
ington, Kentucky. 

1875 — J.  M.  McNair,  Pennsylvania;  post-office  address, 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

1876 — C.  Shryock,  Kentucky;  post-office  address,  Lex- 
ington, Kentucky. 


264  Life  of  Father  Upchurch. 


1877— Samuel  B.  Myers,  Pennsylvania;  post-office  ad- 
dress, Franklin,  Pennsylvania. 

1878— M.  W.  Sackett,  Pennsylvania;  post-office  address 
Meadville,  Pennsylvania.  ' 

1879— John  Frizzell,  Tennessee;  post-office  address 
Nashville,  Tennessee.  ' 

1880— Roderick  Rose,  Iowa;  post-office  address,  James- 
town, Dakota. 

1 88 1— William  H.  Baxter,  Michigan;  post-office  address 
Detroit,  Michigan.  ' 

1882— William  H.  Baxter,  Michigan;  post-office  address, 
Detroit,  Michigan. 

1883— M.  W.  Fish,  California;  post-office  address,  Oak- 
land, California. 

1884— Leroy  Andrus,  New  York;  post-office  address, 
Buffalo,  New  York. 

1885— John  A.  Brooks,  Missouri;  post-office  address, 
Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

SUPREME  MASTER  WORKMAN. 

1886— George  W.  Badgerow,  Canada;  post-office  address, 
Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada. 

PUBLICATIONS  IN  THE  INTEREST  OF  THE  ORDER. 

Overseer,  St-  Louis,  Missouri. 

Pacific  States  Watchman,  San  Francisco,  California. 

Wisco7isin  A.  O.  U.  W.  Advocate,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

The  Protector,  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

The  Ca?iadian  Workman,  Orillia,  Ontario,  Canada. 

The  Anchor  and  Shield,  Paris,  Illinois. 

The  New  Engla7id  Workman,  So.  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

Kansas  Workman,  Minneapolis,  Kansas. 

Ohio  A.  O.  U.  W.Jourjial,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Indiana  Recorder,  A.  O.  U.   W.,  Evansville,  Indiana. 

A.  O.  U.   W  Guide,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

The  Ca?iadian  Overseer,  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada. 

The  A.  O.  U.  W  Argus,  Buffalo,  New  York. 

The  Loyal  Master  Workman,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

The  Fraterfial  Guide,  New  York  City. 

The  A.  O.  U.  W.  Recorder,  Hampstead,  Texas. 


0 


'^\^ 


cW 


'^. 


S<^ 


.r-^! 


jg^fej: 


?W 


^l 


'^^^Mm 


y^ 


T' 


-^ 


-H 


""->i 


-^1 


.^ 


-S: 


